Edmond woman an inspiration on campus

“There are so many parents and teachers who see me as a parent first and the blindness as only a part of me, not all of me,” Barker said.

She's the mother of Elana, 9, and Philip, 8. As a volunteer, she throws herself into the extra tasks parents do around a school. She's served as Parent Teacher Organization secretary for three years. She's now in her second year as vice president of fundraising for the PTO and is a regular fixture at some of the school's benefits, such as turkey bingos and the spring carnival.

She even uses her sight challenge as a life lesson for children.

“I love to teach the kids that blindness might be different but it does not mean staying at home and being nothing,” she said. She's seen regularly at Will Rogers with her guide dog, Jenny, a poodle.

Barker, 44, an El Reno native, said her challenge began at age 8 when she had a seizure and was given medication that gave her an allergic reaction. That triggered a high fever that nearly killed her.

A series of eye problems followed, which ultimately resulted in the removal of both eyes. The blindness ended years of surgeries, pain and medications and led to a new chapter in her life, parenthood.

“I was pain-free for the first time in 20 years,” she said. She said she could then concentrate on starting a family with her husband, Steve.