National Mental Health and Addictions Conference
Walt Disney World | Orlando, FL
When Marshele Waddell first brought her military family to the Magical Kingdom about seven years ago, it was “not a magical time.”
Rather, it was “a revealing time” for her family, Marshele said.
Her husband, Cmdr. Mark Waddell, a retired leader of the Navy SEALS, was back from war in the Middle East and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
As a TIME Magazine story in November aptly described it: “The noise of the careening rides, the shrieking kids — everything roused Waddell to a state of hypervigilance typical of his worst days in combat.”
It continued: “When an actor dressed as Goofy stuck his long, doggy muzzle into his face, Waddell recalls, ‘I wanted to grab Goofy by the throat.’”
Much has changed and improved since that time, and the Waddells have emerged from what Marshele calls the “Valley of Darkness.” They returned to Disney World this week for Marshele to speak at the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s National Mental Health and Addictions Conference.
Her topic, “When War Comes Home,” is a personal story of her family’s war with combat stress and the need for better mental health services and programs for returning soldiers such as Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group’s Peer Navigator Model.
Marshele has often said that her family’s walk through the dark valley of combat stress disorder did not have to be nearly as long.
“Today our family is here and it feels like, in some ways, we are coming full circle to address that again,” Marshele said.
Part of “that” was coming face to face again with Goofy, who galumphed through the Coronado Springs Resort Conference Center to say hello to Cmdr. Waddell. This time, Goofy was able to stick his muzzle into the commander’s face and give him surprise hug.
“I thank Goofy, and I owe him an apology,” Cmdr. Waddell said. “I thank people like Goofy, because they accept us unconditionally, without judgment and with total love …
“And so, Goofy, on behalf of myself and my family, I apologize, sir, for almost choking you out at Disney World.”
Several board and staff members from Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group were on hand to see the reunion, after which it was back to the variety of lectures, courses and hands-on workshops the National Council arranged for its 1,600 member organizations. Those organizations serve the nation’s most vulnerable citizens — more than 6 million adults and children with mental illnesses and addiction disorders.
According to National Council President and CEO Linda Rosenberg, the intent of the conference, which draws more than 2,000 individuals each year, is to teach participants “how your organization can step up the pace in implementing real-world solutions that improve consumer outcomes, population heath, and costs.”
Guest speakers this year included Howard Dean, director of Democracy for America and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, and Macolm Gladwell, staff writer for The New Yorker magazine.
Surviving the Whitewaters of Life
Still Waters for Her | Woodmen Valley Chapel · Colorado Springs
Laughter, tears, encouragement and lots of turbulent waters were shared as Marshele presented “Surviving the Whitewaters of Life” to several hundred women at Still Waters for Her in February 2010, at Woodmen Valley Chapel (Colorado Springs).
For more information about inviting Marshele to speak at your event, just contact us.
Trauma of War
TIME Magazine | 30 November 2009 issue
20 November 2009
In retrospect, disneyland wasn't an ideal family-vacation spot for Mark Waddell, a Navy SEAL commander whose valor in combat hid the fact that he was suffering from severe mental trauma. The noise of the careening rides, the shrieking kids--everything roused Waddell to a state of hypervigilance typical of his worst days in combat. When an actor dressed as Goofy stuck his long, doggy muzzle into his face, Waddell recalls, "I wanted to grab Goofy by the throat."
The November 30, 2009 issue of Time magazine looks at PTSD in Trauma of War: The Private Hell of PTSD. Mark and Marshele are some of the sources interviewed for this article. You may read it via this link 
.
A Look at Marshele Waddell
Funny. Practical. Real.
26 April 2009
Why not have Marshele speak to your group? This video shows just a small glimpse of what you can expect when Marshele comes to your conference or group presentation. More information is available here.
When War Comes Home Video
Learn more about the book
26 April 2009
This video offers a brief look at the book, co-authored by Marshele, Rev. Christopher B. Adsit, and his wife, Rev. Rahnella Adsit. The book is available at most local bookstores, in our online store, or at Amazon.com.
MercyMe: Finally Home (Official Video)
The new radio single from MercyMe
(this video honors the military service community)
24 April 2009
Living With PTSD
FOX21 Morning News
7 February 2009
Marshele Waddell shares her story about struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Colorado Springs' KXRM FOX21 Morning News.
Marshele Waddell's Story
Getting help, on my own and together
29 January 2009
In a very honest and frank interview at NotAlone.com , Marshele discusses the physical, emotional, and spiritual battles that PTSD brought into her home; and how she fought through them, first by herself and then with the support of her family.
Video Trailer Now on YouTube
HOPE FOR THE HOME FRONT by Marshele Carter Waddell
19 January 2009
In HOPE FOR THE HOME FRONT, winnning the emotional and spirtual battles of a military wife, author and speaker Marshele Carter Waddell, the wife of a US Navy Seal, shares her encouraging and uplifting personal stories. Her mission ... to save their marrige and reach out to other hurting and frustrated wives offering desperately needed support from a woman who has been there.
National Public Radio
In Ancient Dramas, Vital Words For Today's Warriors
29 January 2009
On the November 25, 2008, All Things Considered program, National Public Radio (NPR) talked about "The Theatre of War: Greek Tragedy as Combat Therapy" (see Ajax and Philoctetes in San Diego, below). Marshele is included in this article/program and you can even listen to the radio segment on the NPR website .
The Washington Times also wrote an article (Military marches toward mental health) on December 2, 2008, about this presentation.
