In the Spotlight: John Looper

Some paths in life are defined not by where they stall, but by the momentum built along the way. For John Looper, that journey began on a Sunday afternoon in Texas back in 1980. A passionate motocross racer in his youth, 20-year-old John took on a notoriously tricky jump at a practice track outside Dallas. Landing hard, the impact compressed his spine and resulted in a T11 complete spinal cord injury.

In the 46 years since that life-altering moment, John has built a life centered around independence, deep family ties, and continuous personal reinvention. Today, as a proud Sonoma County local, devoted father, and newly appointed NorCal SCI Board Member, John brings decades of perspective, gratitude, and drive to our community.

I had the opportunity to sit down with John to learn more about his journey, his passions, and his life as a board member and "girl dad." Here is what he had to share.

We are so thrilled to have you on the board now, John! How did you first get connected with NorCal SCI, and what made you decide to step into a board role with us?

I originally learned about NorCal SCI through online research for a local SCI community. I signed up for the newsletter, received email updates, and attended a gathering at Google HQ in Mountain View where I met Arash, Nick, and others. I was immediately impressed by the organization's positive impact. When the opportunity to join the board came up, I was honored and excited to step into the role. I try to make it to as many outings as possible and hope to look into a grant soon to purchase a handcycle.

You have such a rich life outside of your advocacy work. When you aren't thinking about your SCI or board duties, who are you? What is your main focus in life?

While my career consumed a lot of my time for decades, my true passion for the past 20+ years has been balancing work and family. My main focus is being the best father I can be and enjoying life through my daughters' eyes as they become amazing young women ready to conquer the world.

Family definitely comes first! Where do things stand for you on the career front right now, and how are you spending your time these days?

At the beginning of this year, I unexpectedly lost my tech job after 21 years when the team's function was relocated to Canada. Relocating wasn't an option for me, so at age 66, I find myself at a crossroads. I'm not ready to fully retire—I still want to contribute to a worthy cause, especially with my youngest daughter heading off to college at UC Santa Cruz this fall. Where I go next professionally is still to be determined.

That is a lot of transition all at once, but it sounds like you are keeping active through it all.

Exercise and fitness have always been a huge part of my life, and as an aging individual with an SCI, it's even more important. With more time on my hands, I'm trying to stay as active as my shoulders will allow.

Besides keeping active, do you have any other hobbies or passions you like to dive into?

My 'hidden' talent is building and customizing electric guitars. I've played since I was 12, and about 15 years ago I became obsessed with how different electronics, pickups, and woods influence sound. Through trial, error, and YouTube, I’ve built or customized over a dozen guitars. It’s a great creative outlet.

That is such a cool craft! Living in Sonoma County near the coast sounds peaceful—how do you like to start a typical 'perfect day'?

It starts with a good night's sleep of 7-8 hours, which can be a challenge with spasms or aches. If I get a decent night's rest, I take a few minutes to stretch my back, shoulders, and neck before getting into my chair and taking care of my morning routine.

And once you are up and moving, how does the rest of the day unfold?

I like to hit my local accessible gym early for resistance training. Afterwards, a great day includes connecting with my daughters and friends, checking in on my 99-year-old mother, reading, learning something new online, and doing some guitar tinkering.

Is there a favorite spot you like to head to when you want to get out of the house?

A drive to the ocean is the perfect addition. I live about 30 minutes from Bodega Bay and love taking road trips through the backroads of Sonoma and Marin Counties. Sitting on the cliffs watching the waves crash feeds my soul.

Those coastal drives sound amazing. Is your adaptive driving setup the main key to that daily independence?

Having hand controls on my car is the one thing I can never do without. It gives me total freedom and independence. When I’m driving, I’m just like everyone else on the road, and being able to go where I want, when I want, makes those local road trips my happy place.

I love how proud you are of your daughters. You mentioned earlier that being a father is your primary purpose—what was your path to parenthood like after your injury?

The day of my injury, a neurosurgeon bluntly told my parents and me that I would never be able to have children. Years later, with help from the doctors at the UCSF Fertility Clinic, we proved him wrong! Being a 'girl dad' brings me immense pride and joy. The neurosurgeon actually apologized profusely years later for his bluntness, but proving him wrong was very satisfying.

What a powerful story. If you could go back to that hospital bed on Day 1 and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would you say?

Don't believe what people tell you about what you can't do after a spinal cord injury. Whether it's parenthood, driving, traveling, or sports, you might need to adapt or use assistive tech, but if there's something you want to do, get out there and find a way to do it.

Having navigated life in a chair for over four decades, what is one major misconception about living with an SCI that you wish the general public understood better?

Many people assume that individuals with disabilities are sad, angry, or unable to lead fulfilling lives. In my 46 years in a chair, my life has been wonderful and fulfilling. There are hard days, but overall, our community is happy, positive, and supportive.

Let's jump into some quick fun favorites! What kind of music are you listening to these days?

I've always been a rock-and-roll guy—my favorite band is AC/DC—but lately I’ve been enjoying 80s synth-pop like New Order and Depeche Mode. It’s positive, fun music, even if it's hard to accept that it was 40 years ago!

What about shows or books you've enjoyed recently?

I recently finished re-watching Breaking Bad and am now watching The Bear. The food prep scenes are mesmerizing, though they always make me hungry late at night!

On the reading side, I'm enjoying Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan, which my daughter recommended. It’s a captivating coming-of-age story about surfing and adventure that even a non-surfer can appreciate.

I’m not surprised you’re reading about surfing - you seem to enjoy all sorts of adventure! Speaking of adventure, if you could jump on a plane right now, where would your dream trip take you?

Australia. I’ve always been fascinated by the culture, wildlife, and landscape, and as a Formula 1 fan, I'd love to see the race in Melbourne. Long flights are tough with mobility issues, but with my eldest daughter considering living there, that might be the extra push I need to make the trip.

Who are the personal heroes or mentors who shaped who you are today?

My Mom and Dad. My late father was a gentle, hardworking man who served in the Air Force and supported our family. My mother, who is still going strong at 99, showed incredible resilience through raising three boys and navigating life's challenges. They set the ultimate example of parenthood.

To wrap things up, is there anything else you'd like to leave our NorCal SCI community with?

Having an organization like NorCal SCI is incredible. When I was first injured, there was no community like this and I had to figure things out on my own. Take advantage of the resources, programs, and community available today. It's up to each of us to keep moving, stay positive, and make the most of life!