We’ve all heard the adage “when it rains, it pours.” In 2020, Joanna Ward wasn’t just caught in the rain, but in an absolute hurricane. Relationship transitions, sickness, grief, and uncertainty were the lynchpins in that season of life.
“I just had a rough year in 2020. A lot of personal turmoil was coupled with a lengthy, three-day hospital stay from COVID-19, which was preceded by multiple emergency room visits for the same sickness,” recounted Ward. “My best friend had passed away just a few months prior from COVID-19. To say it was scary is an understatement.”
In 2019 Ward, a self-employed financial advisor without the option for employer-sponsored health insurance, heard an ad for a healthcare sharing ministry on the radio.
“When I first heard about it, I liked the idea of healthsharing. I started to do my own research to see what options were out there, and that’s when I found out about Liberty HealthShare,” said Ward. “The price just couldn’t be beat, and I connected with the idea of being part of a ministry, sharing each other’s eligible expenses rather than just paying to some large insurance company.”
While the rain was pouring down and the winds were buffeting her from all sides, Ward was not without an umbrella in the supportive Liberty HealthShare community.
“When you’re facing a sickness that is literally life and death, you kind of just accept that there are going to be costs. It was reassuring to know that I had a community behind me,” said Ward. “I don’t recall the exact numbers, but I know that I had one bill that was at least $19,000. After my annual unshared amount was met, it was completely shared into. I had to pay $0 of that remaining expense. It was just like, thank you God so much for this – I saw that and just cried.”
Nearly five years removed from that experience, Ward still loves being part of the Liberty HealthShare community thanks to powerful member resources, consistent and reasonable share times, and the assistance provided by Liberty HealthShare team members.
“I tell people about Liberty HealthShare all the time, because it works! Eligible expenses are being shared for me in about 60 to 90 days, and calling in is easy and helpful,” said Ward. “I recently scheduled a specialist appointment for carpal tunnel, and I called in and was guided through looking for my provider on HST Connect. We found that my provider was in fact a PHCS Network participating provider, so I was able to take that information into my provider and the process was just so easy.”
“My black lab Kalli is my best friend. She goes with me everywhere, and we have such a special connection,” said Ward. “I say that she’s my Holy Spirit filled dog; I’ll have women’s Bible study at my house, and Kalli will go to greet everyone before sitting down next to someone who, I learn later, needed her presence and comfort the most. She’s so wonderful.”
With years left in her professional life, Ward is happy to remain part of the Liberty HealthShare community receiving, and providing, both physical and spiritual support.
“When I was going through those trials, the Liberty HealthShare community came through for me. To know that I’m with a ministry, where I pray for others and they pray for me, is priceless. There have been challenges and transitions, but I have never once regretted sticking with the ministry. I sing the praises of Liberty HealthShare as much as I can.”