No Hands, No Limits: The  Heartwarming Story of Krismie C. Principe

In the quiet town of Banisilan, Cotabato, lives a beautiful young woman whose story speaks of courage, creativity, and hope. Krismie Cepida Principe, born without hands, journeys through life with a heart full of purpose and an existence destined to inspire. 

Fondly called Mimi, she recently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM). She is among the beneficiaries of the university’s assistance for students with special needs.

Mimi grew up in Barangay Wadya, a peaceful corner of Banisilan, under the care of her parents, Raymond Gallego Principe, a tricycle driver, and Angustia Cepida Principe, a homemaker. The third of four siblings, she was raised in a home filled with love and quiet resilience.

From a young age, Mimi faced challenges many would consider insurmountable. Yet, her story is not one of limitation; it is a story of boundless possibility.

“Ever since I was little, I would take the pencils of my older siblings and start writing all by myself. And without realizing it, over time, I learned how to draw,” she recalled.

Using her feet in place of hands, Mimi taught herself to write, draw, and paint. Through every hardship, her mother became her greatest supporter. She was her hands in moments of need, her quiet strength and sacrifice gave her courage. 

 Her family rallied behind her dream, stood beside her every step of the way.  She said her family served as her inspiration and motivation to complete her education and pursue a brighter future.

“The most difficult part of my journey is studying… having no hands is difficult. You can’t easily finish your tasks or projects because you have to use and move your feet instead. It’s also not easy to get paper from your bag and you only have one minute left before a quiz starts. And it’s not easy to adjusting to people at school,” she shared with tears welling in her eyes.

Despite these challenges, Mimi discovered joy in painting, watching movies, and dancing. Her love for art was more than a hobby, it was her voice, her soul expressed through each brushstroke. Using her feet, her works reflect her resilience and dreams, turning adversity into beauty.

In high school, she was part of the Special Program in the Arts (SPA), where her love for painting blossomed. She credits Mr. Norman Delos Reyes, her painting teacher and favorite artist, for helping her create “a life full of colors and meaning, she says. In senior high, she further developed her creativity through journalism as a cartoonist. 

One of Mimi’s proudest moments was graduating With High Honors, earning distinctions such as Outstanding Performance in Arts, Writer of the Year, and Conduct Award. She also won a poster making contest and was named Exceptional Artist of the Year.

Now a part of the community of Persons with Disability (PWD), Mimi carries not only her own dreams, but the hopes of many others who strive to prove that disability is never a barrier to success. She said, it’s the reason why she works harder, to show the world that a person’s worth is not defined by what they lack, but by what they overcome.

“Ma, Pa, thank you for all the sacrifices, support, care, and love that you give me every single day. Since the day I was born, your love has always secured me. That’s why I will continue to work hard, so that one day, all your sacrifices will bear rich and joyful fruits.” Her smile betrayed the tears in her face when she spoke of her parents. 

She also expressed gratitude to those who believe in her: Vice Mayor Jesus Alisasis and the Sangguniang Bayan in her municipality for her monthly allowance,  to Dr. Maria Leida M. Donque of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, the USM President. Above all, she remained grateful to God for giving her life meaning despite physical limitations. 

Mimi also left a message for her younger self:
“Thank you, because you were the reason I learned to prove myself. You gave me the strength to fight and live a meaningful life.”

And when asked what she hopes could change in the world for people with disabilities, she answers with honesty:

“If there’s one thing I hope could change for people like us, it would be that no one would have to live with a disability. That way, everyone could do what they want freely, without being judged or misunderstood.”

To the students of USM and beyond, Mimi offers a message of hope:

 “I want them to understand that not all persons with disabilities are hopeless or incapable.  Whether you have a disability or not, we all share the same dream — to finish our studies. I hope my story inspires others to keep fighting and never give up.”

In a world too focused on what people cannot do, Mimi reminds us of what people can do — to be strong, talented, full of dreams, and capable of extraordinary things. While she may have been born without hands, she was born with a heart full of purpose — and a life meant to inspire.

And with every step she takes, with every painting she creates, with every dream she refuses to let go of — she reminds us all: Life, when painted with love and courage, can be a masterpiece.

How You Can Help

USM offers assistance to students with special needs – such as Indigenous Peoples, Solo Parents, Persons with Disabilities, Survivors of Violence, Orphans, Balik-Aral, and residents from geographically isolated areas. Mimi is one of them.

She requested that the interview be done via chat, as she becomes emotional during in-person conversations.  Throughout the interview, she typed her responses on her phone using her feet. A laptop could be of great help to her studies.

If you wish to support Krismie and help other PWD students at USM achieve their dreams, you may contact:

Office of Student Affairs (OSA): [email protected],ph. 

Office of Alumni Affairs (for alumni who wish to extend their assistance: [email protected].

Together, let’s help make education accessible and dreams possible—for Mimi and for many more students like her.