During her rehabilitation at a spinal unit in Glasgow, Butterfield was introduced to the sport of
wheelchair rugby. In early 2012 she joined the Caledonian Crushers, and later became their vice-captain. In 2014 Butterfield was classified as a F51 disability athlete and began competing in regional meets in both the discus and club throw events. In August that year she was selected for the Great Britain team to compete at the
2014 IPC Athletics European Championships. There she competed in the
F32/51 club throw, and set a new European record with a distance of 17.68m winning gold in all British podium alongside
Josie Pearson and
Gemma Prescott. That season she also competed at the SDS Championships in Perth and threw personal bests in both the discus (9.79m) and the club (19.50m), winning gold in both events. She also improved on her European record in the club with a throw of 19.69 which saw her take gold. Morrison was Butterfield's main rival when the two met at the
2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha. In the club Butterfield threw 21.44 to set a championship record and push her American rival into silver medal place. Butterfield was appointed
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the
2017 New Year Honours for services to field athletics. In June 2021 she was among the first dozen athletes chosen to represent the UK at the postponed
2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. In August 2022 she transferred sports to Wheelchair Curling. In February 2023 she was selected for the Scotland team to compete at the
2023 Wheelchair Curling World Championships. There she competed in the mixed team event and winning a bronze medal. == References ==