The good news story of Bilal Quintyne and Belinda Whitaker

The VOICE of Inspiration

By Don Lindsey

There have been many I’ve written that focus on how divided we are in this country and how we should instead move our energies towards helping each other. But for this article, I'm going to showcase a situation that highlights the potential we possess to lift one another up. I want you to see how the virtuous deeds that we do can influence our children and future generations.

You may have heard about this, but unfortunately, the story didn’t get nearly as much news coverage as it should have which is why I chose to dedicate this article to it.

I first saw the story the other day about a young man who helped an elderly lady when her electric wheelchair ran out of power. The 24-year-old gentleman named Bilal Quintyne, who fights as an amateur boxer, was getting ready to go on a run with his trainer when he saw 67-year-old Belinda Whitaker sitting in her wheelchair unable to go anywhere because of a dead battery. To make matters worse, she was in a relatively busy area with people walking right past her, and no one stopped to help, which left her sitting still for about 45 minutes until Quintyne intervened.

After approaching Whitaker and asking her what was wrong, he was informed of her predicament and then proceeded to push the 360-pound wheelchair back to her house 30 minutes away. His trainer took video of his fighter’s good deed, which was seen by members of Whitaker's church, who extended an invitation for him to attend one of their services.

Quintyne accepted the invitation.

Bilal Quintyne: Boxer and Good Samaritan.

During the sermon, he was praised for his actions in the community. The members even gave him a gift card and plaque.

His response to all of that is what stuck out to me the most.

“I don’t see myself as no superhero," Whitaker told The Washington Post. "I don’t see myself as no great guy. I’m just a moral man doing what I was put on this earth to do.”

He also said that he felt so much love from people in the community, and for me, that’s the biggest payoff for doing something nice for someone, knowing that they appreciate your help.

I first saw the story on television, and then read an article later about it while preparing for this column, and the lack of coverage this story received disheartened me.

It doesn’t matter what news channel you prefer, chances are if you’re watching the news, you see something terrible. Wars, children suffering, political and social division dominate every facet of the media it appears to me, so when I look at someone doing what we’re supposed to do (watching out for and taking care of each other), I wonder how many more of these good deeds such as the one with Quintyne and Whitaker go unnoticed. I also wonder how different society would be if we highlighted more of these acts of kindness and focused less on the evil we see in this world.

I will always stand by my belief that as human beings our greatest strength is working together and being kind to one another. The story of the young man helping out the elderly woman is an excellent example of that strength. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, and I hope that we learn from examples such as the one that Bilal Quintyne provided.

Note: Good News Network and The Washington Post contributed to this article.

Don Lindsey is a follower of Christ, son, husband, father, and a survivor. Originally from Dayton Ohio, and resident of Apopka for six years, Don sees his life as a dedication to his wife, parents, children, and community.