Frankie Butler, trail wheeler

“Trail wheeling has been my lifeline”

In her early 20s Frankie Butler began suffering from a rare chronic pain condition that ended her promising sporting career. But now trail wheeling has given her a new sense of purpose. 

“There is nothing quite like the headspace that hiking along remote trails affords you. Nature acts as a filter to the stress and strain of modern life, sieving out negativity so you can focus on positives that are otherwise hidden.

“Most importantly it helps me feel hopeful. Hopeful that I will beat this chronic pain condition I’ve been suffering from for two and a half years. Hopeful I will once again run the trails, climb Munros and walk with my dog. Nature gives you space to breathe, reflect, and notice the joy in your life. It has never been more important to me than now. 

“I have a rare chronic pain condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and am unable to participate in many of my old hobbies. So I have to find new ones and create my own. My condition is debilitating, leaving me in constant pain and no longer able to walk. I use a wheelchair to get around, which means accessing the trails I used to run on is now a challenge. However, a challenge only ignites my stubborn streak. I’m not about to let my wheels stop me from enjoying trails, hills or nature.

“Prior to this injury I was an elite athlete playing hockey for England’s Junior squads, Scottish Universities and due to trial for Scotland’s U21s later that season. It was on the pitch that I suffered an ankle injury that had to be surgically reconstructed, contributing to the development of CRPS.

“I didn’t expect my sporting career to end when I was just 20 years old. I lost my identity overnight, no longer knew my place in the world and kept asking myself: “Who actually am I?” That is no easy thing to compute and contributed to the decline of my mental health.

“During lockdown in 2020 I received my first custom wheelchair, one that fits my body so well it almost feels like a part of me. When I first used the chair I was shocked at how difficult propelling yourself with your arms is – wheeling round the block was exhausting.

“After 5 months of training I completed my first half-marathon on my local trails, something I could never have found space for in my busy sporting schedule before my injury. And I have just started training for the April 2022 London Marathon, so there are many more hard miles ahead! 

“I truly believe exercise can change your whole perception of a day. You can have the worst day possible, but getting outside and exercising can pivot that day on its head, giving you a real sense of achievement. For me, there is the added bonus of providing some relief from my ever-present pain too. 

“My recovery has been an arduous path, like pushing a boulder up a mountain. Time on the trails is helping me on my road to recovery, helping me to learn to love my mind and body again. I love to absorb myself in the sounds, ever-changing landscapes and wildlife on my routes. It’s my ‘go-to’ coping mechanism. Access to the outdoors and trail wheeling has been my lifeline, lifting my spirits and reinstating a sense of purpose in my life. 

“I head out on my chair daily, either wheeling up and down the Chiltern hills or exploring the Thames towpath and soaking up whatever nature has to offer me. Trail wheeling may not be a common activity, and is often a challenge, but it keeps me connected with my friends, family and ever-faithful dog. 

“I really want to inspire others faced with physical and mental health challenges. Life doesn’t have to be on hold while you recover and return to an even keel. You can still live in a meaningful way and achieve positive things in the darkest of times. Nature really is the best medicine, so go out there and get amongst it!”

Instagram: @_frankie_butler