GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Every year on 3 December, the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day to celebrate inclusion, raise awareness and spotlight innovations that help make everyday life more accessible for those with disabilities. 

While major breakthroughs in medicine and technology often grab attention, it’s often the smaller, everyday tools that make the most profound difference in people’s lives.

For many people living with physical or motor skill challenges, even simple daily tasks can require extra effort. 

Something as routine as brushing your teeth, for example, an action most of us perform without a second thought, can be unexpectedly difficult. 

That’s where Balene, a Spanish-designed toothbrush, is making a quiet but meaningful difference, helping people with mobility challenges experience oral care with greater ease and independence.

Unlike traditional toothbrushes, Balene’s manual and sonic versions are dual-sided, cleaning both the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of the teeth simultaneously. 

This design not only improves efficiency but also reduces the physical effort needed to achieve a thorough clean. Its 180° rotating head and 45-degree angled bristles to effectively brush under the gumline, built to make brushing easier for everyone, but especially for those with limited dexterity or strength.

“Balene brushes really help patients with mental or physical challenges to get to the areas in the mouth where traditional brushes simply can't,” explains Danette Smit, an Oral Hygienist working with Ivohealth, the South African distributors of Balene. “It’s a small change in design, but it has a huge impact on independence and oral health.”

For Alex Boettger, who lived with congenital muscular dystrophy, discovering Balene was a revelation. “It was cool to be given the freedom in the small things such as brushing my teeth, and it was something I'd never even thought would have such an impact on my day, my mood and my outlook,” he said.

That sense of empowerment, of being able to care for oneself without assistance, is at the heart of what IDPD represents. Inclusion isn’t only about access to workplaces, schools or transport, it’s also about dignity and independence in the everyday moments that shape our confidence and wellbeing.

And as accessibility becomes part of a broader public conversation, Balene stands as a reminder that design can be a powerful form of inclusion. Change doesn’t always require sweeping reform, sometimes, it’s about reimagining the tools we use every day, and the independence they can give back.

Because for many, the ability to manage the little things isn’t just practical, it’s deeply personal. It’s in these everyday moments that dignity, freedom and confidence truly begin.

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