Colorado Springs Paralympian and veteran on cover of a national magazine sharing his story
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Silver Medal-winning Paralympian and disabled veteran from Colorado Springs made the front page of a national magazine to share his story.
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, John Register made the cover of DIVERSEability Magazine. The magazine focuses on the day-to-day lives of people in the BIPOC community living with disabilities.
Register is a two-time and two-sport Paralympic athlete winning the Paralympic Silver in the long jump in Sydney, Australia. In addition to his athletic career, Register served six years in the U.S. Army. During his time with the military, he served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also on active duty with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships.
In 1994, Register lost his leg after an accident during training for the Olympic trials.
"I was training for my third Olympic trials and went across a hurdle, I dislocated my left knee cap damaging the artery and then 7 days later I became an amputee," Register said.
Despite losing his leg, Register persevered and adapted to his life as a disabled athlete.
"I began to swim for physical therapy, I got faster in the water I interim my service in the military and as I got faster in the water I somehow fluked up, messed up, and made the Paralympic swim team," Register said.
In 2003 his focus shifted to working with the Paralympic Military Sports program. The program helps military members stay athletic while rehabilitating.
"That program baseline caused other people to think how they can support injured veterans and that turned into warrior games and then also turned into prince Harry's Invictus Games," Register said.
Currently, Register is a professional speaker helping those with disabilities and or limb loss live to their full potential.
"Whatever the highest level of function is for you that's what we want to support you with," Register said.
Learn more about the Register's work and his magazine profile by clicking here.
