Grenade Slows But Doesn’t Stop Army Sgt.

Activities Prove Life Is Just Beginning For Sergeant Butterworth

You would think that if you were wounded in Iraq, and in fact wound up losing a leg that such an event would stop or at least slow down most people.? But Army Sergeant Andy Butterworth is showing that to be untrue.

Sergeant Butterworth lost his leg while on deployment in Iraq.? The vehicle that Sgt. Butterworth was riding in was struck by a rocket propelled grenade.? Both Sgt Butterworth and another soldier were seriously injured in the incident, in which both soldiers each lost a leg.

Since his injury in 2004, Sergeant Butterworth has worked hard in rehabilitation, and made huge strides.? After just three months, Sergeant Butterworth was up walking again with a new artificial leg.? Butterworth was medically retired from the service in April of 2006, but has worked hard to lead a relatively normal life since then.? He has been attending a winter sports clinic in Aspen Colorado, and has found adaptive ways to do many life activities.

Butterworth now works with the Wounded Warror program as a benefits liaison person. He travels a lot, but is in active service helping other veterans and warriors that were wounded serving their country. “It is my dream job, and I get to help people in situations like mine,” says Butterworth.

There are two different types of amputees, those that have fallen, and those that are about to fall, laughed Butterworth. But he credits his upbringing to his resolve to not quit, and not to let things that come in his path defeat him. “We all have challenges, as Servicemembers, but we all are the same, we meet it head on, and work to see it as a challenge,” said Butterworth.

And most of all you get back on, and keep trying,” remarked Butterworth.