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Being physically challenged might have crippled the dreams of many, but not for Kimberly James, 25, who has been living with cerebral palsy since birth. She said that being disabled is a driving force for her success and hence she has banking on her entrepreneurial skills.

The make-up lover, who manages to operate an online business called Kimmy Cosmetics, said that from creating make-up looks, she feels rather contented.

"Make-up gives me the chance to express myself, in terms of just getting up and dressing up. Even though I barely go anywhere, it makes me feel good within myself," James told THE WEEKEND STAR.

James, who is currently attending the Abilities Foundation School to be certified in make-up artistry, hopes to expand the reach of her business.

"I want to enhance my business more because I really love doing make-up as well, so instead of just selling the products, I will be doing make-up on people," she said.

"Right now I only practise on myself because I'm not so good at it, but I'm learning. I plan to get a physical location so people can come to me, but I'm gonna start with house visits first," she added.

James, who resides in Green Acres, St Catherine, blamed bullying in school as a factor that impacted her ability to achieve certification such as CSEC subjects.

"Life was very difficult for me because of other people. I still don't have my CXCs because of a lack of teaching. Teachers don't understand certain stuff about me and they couldn't be bothered," she said.

"They discriminate, they say, 'oh you don't have to be here enuh, you can go home you have you mother and your father to take care of you' ... I had instances where kids would try to throw me out my wheelchair, so I had to be like a boy then show them seh me rough too, even though I'm not that type of person. But I try to be that to protect myself and appear strong," she added.

Now determined that she is capable of doing anything she put her mind to, James has started her online business and is looking forward to the day when she is certified to work as a make-up artist.