By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Scott Duck does not allow blindness to deter him from his writing and speaking ministry. He is the author of three books.
JACKSON — By all medical accounts, Scott Duck shouldn’t be around today.
On March 21, 1977, Duck was one of triplets born three months prematurely. According to medical reports, he was in the worst condition of the three infants and the one doctors gave the least chance of survival.
As it turned out, his brothers, Chris and Brad, contracted an unidentified pathogen that eventually killed them. Scott survived and the only lingering effect of his premature birth is his blindness.
Duck shares his story in a recently released book, Blind Faith. Now an author and motivational speaker, Duck uses his experience to remind people that “God can use anyone to reach people and make a positive difference in the world.”
Duck, a member of Meridian Baptist Church, Jackson, wants to help people understand that life presents challenges. He writes in his book, “Everyone has something that makes their life harder than the next person’s.
“For me, that something is being blind. … Sometimes, we let what we can’t do stand in the way of what we can do. We all have struggles. Sometimes, as we struggle to face life’s challenges, we also struggle to hold on to hope or we lose hope all together. But it doesn’t have to be that way,” Duck writes.
In an interview with the Baptist and Reflector, Duck stressed that no matter what limitations people might have, God can use them. “It’s ultimately not about what they can do anyway. It’s about what God can do through them.”
The Jackson layman believes strongly that people should not limit God because of limitations they might have.
He writes, “Am I disabled? Yes. Can I still do worthwhile things? Yes. Can I contribute to society and God’s kingdom in a meaningful way? Yes, absolutely.
“Is that harder than it otherwise might be because of my disability? In many ways, yes. Do some people find it inspiring that I am able to do these things despite the hardships that are presented by my blindness? I hope that they do and that God will be glorified through that.”
Duck shares his story and testimony via public speaking and writing through Scott Duck Ministries (www.scottduck.com). In addition to Blind Faith, he is writing a series of “View” novels that has elements of his testimony woven throughout.
The message of the books “seeks to teach people the same things God has taught me through my adversity,” he said.
He admits he has stepped out in faith with his ministry. “He will take care of me. God reveals things on a need to know basis and I don’t need to know yet,” Duck acknowledged, adding that this ministry has caused him to get out of his comfort zone.
“God often uses things outside our own abilities to show us that it’s not us doing it,” he observed.
“Ultimately, we can’t accomplish anything in our own power.”
John Enoch, Duck’s pastor at Meridian Baptist noted the family (which includes wife Lara and their five children) is “such an encouragement to Meridian. Their support for one another is inspiring. I’ve been able to watch Scott as he faithfully seeks the Lord’s direction for his writing and speaking ministry. He has truly stepped out in faith and God has provided.
“Scott allowed me to read an early draft of Blind Faith and I found his testimony compelling. We are the same age and we both have a business background, so I easily connected with much of his story. I’ve seen his testimony help others to understand what it means to trust God in all parts of life,” Enoch said.
For more information, contact Duck at scottduck1977@gmail.com.
