BUTLERTWP — Chelsea Perry is not playing softball this season, but she's still winning.

Perry, 21, a former pitcher at Butler High School and Butler County Community College, was planning to return to the diamond for BC3 this spring before suffering a brain aneurism March 7.

The aneurism set off a few mini-strokes as well.

"(Doctors) told us there was no hope,"said Monica Perry, Chelsea's mother. "She's been amazing them every day since."

After spending three weeks at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and nearly two months at the Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Chelsea Perry returned home May 27.

She has been walking with a cane, but Sunday she took two steps without it for the first time.

Asked what she took for granted most about life before her accident, Perry answered immediately.

"Walking,"she said. "I can't believe how hard it is to walk right now. I was able to walk before, now I can't."

Perry had played organized tournament softball every year since she was 10, but this is the first year she will not be playing.

She plans to make it her last.

"I'm hoping, next year, I'll be back," Perry said. "I miss everything about it — my friends, playing the game, just being out on the field."

Perry also has helped coach youth softball teams and has worked clinics in recent years.

Now, she goes to Harmarville three times a week for therapy. Perry receives an hour of physical therapy, an hour of occupational therapy, an hour of speech therapy and an hour of aquatics during each visit.

She still wears a helmet, as a bone flap in her skull, originally removed because of swelling, has not been replaced yet.

A website designed to update well-wishers on Perry's progress — www.chelseaperry12.com — has resulted in countless get-well emails from all over the world.

On Wednesday, Perry received postcards from California and Hawaii, "from people I don't even know and who don't know me," she said.

"Those kind thoughts have helped a lot,"Perry said. "Knowing there's so many people out there who want me to get better gives me more strength to get through this."

Perry worked for nearly a year at the Butler Health and Fitness Club, which has organized the Chelsea A. Perry Golf Classic at Lake Arthur Country Club.

Proceeds from the July 15 four-person scramble will go to the Perry family.

"We just want to assist them in Chelsea's comeback," said Jeff Rodgers, manager of the Butler Health and Fitness Club. "She is so courageous to fight back the way she has.

"Her mother and her stopped in for a visit here Saturday. It was amazing. Chelsea was like a celebrity. She's touched a lot of people."

Openings remain for the scramble. Rodgers said he has 15 to 17 foursomes registered already and hopes to have at least 20 foursomes for the event.

Cost is $70 per golfer and $280 per foursome.

"A lot of area businesses have contributed to this outing,"Rodgers said. "If someone gets a hole-in-one on the No. 2 hole, they win free use of a new car for a year."

The Perry Golf Classic will have an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Those interested in playing can call Rodgers at 724-285-5775.

Perry hopes to return to BC3 this fall for one or two classes.

"January, at the latest," she said. "I'm coming back. I'm coming all the way back."

Her mother agreed.

"Chelsea has a lot of determination,"she said. "She's going to do it. She wants to play ball again.

"No one can explain her progress. We're just thankful for it."