76 DIVERSEability Magazine www.diverseabilitymagazine.com

cover story

John Register

Demand Your Place in the Space

Interview & Story By Tawanah Reeves-Ligon

F

rom soldier and Paralympian to author and motivational speaker, John Register is a testament to human resil- ience. An Oak Park, Illinois native, he has always loved sports and was a competitive swimmer at a young age before adding foot- ball, baseball and track and field to his list of accomplishments. Register would eventually become a four-time, All-American graduate from the University of Arkansas in the long jump, hurdles and relay teams before earn- ing his bachelors degree in Communications in 1988 and enlisting in the Army, where he would proudly serve for six years. As a mem- ber of the U.S. Armed Forces, he participated in the Persian Gulf war, Desert Shield and Desert Storm in a combat role while still pur- suing athletic excellence. Over the years, Register has remained a staunch supporter of our Armed Forces and our veterans, serving in many capacities, such as a Program Specialist with the U.S. Army B.O.S.S. Program (Better Opportunities for Single Solders) and being the founder of USOCs Paralympic Military Program, a program for service members return- ing from combat with physical disabilities. Furthermore, he has often spoken and written on the military-to-civilian transition and the benefits of businesses who hire veterans. He remains a strong advocate in that cause. Register likes to remind people that when someone thanks a military service member for their service, they often do so simply think- ing about combat. However, he says that what theyre actually thanking them for is upkeep- ing their oath. According to Register, It comes down to what the oath was of that ser- vice member? The Oath of Enlistment says, ' I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, for- eign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same So, thats really the crust of the oath. Theres some more around it, but its to protect and defend the United States Constitution, said Register. Then for the American public we ask, when was the last time you read the Constitution? What are the articles? What's the Preamble? Why is Article V one of the most critical articles to the Constitution? That leads us into the amendments. Why are these amendments there? Because they didn't have it all the way baked out. Its a living document. So, if we think that [we as America are] all the way there, then weve just missed the point of the service that youre thanking people for. Register continues, Were trying to get jobs and opportunities [for veterans], and people only go to, I dont know how theyre going to show up in my world because they may have been in combat, or they may have done this type of service. But if youre thank- ing them for the service, youre really thank- ing them for the job that you actually have and for the rights that you have to do business. Because theyre protecting the United States Constitution, and thats where you actually want to honor them: by having them in your business. Register also participated in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program - winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships before he became a Sports Specialist in the program.

Hurdling Adversity

Everything changed for Register in May 1994 during a practice training in preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games. He had previ- ously qualified in two consecutive Olympic trials while on active duty. However, a mis- step over a hurdle hyperextended his knee and severed his popliteal artery. Attempts to reconstruct the artery failed, and the damage became so extensive that it was recommended his left leg be amputated, changing his life forever. It also represented a significant adjustment for his wife, Alice. Register recalls a moment around the time of his leg amputation when he was contem- plating what was happening and the situation he found himself in. Im in a park. Im sit- ting in a wheelchair and my wife is pushing my son on a swing. I cant stand up from the chair. It's the first time I've felt the full weight of being disabled. She comes over and wraps her arm around me and says, Were going to get through this together. Its just our new normal.