Michael Schumacher Recovery: Updates on Former F1 Star's Rehab After Ski Crash

Michael Schumacher is at home fighting for his long-term health after the F1 legend suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013.

Continue for updates. 

Thursday, Nov. 20

Schumacher "Paralysed," Says Streiff

Official updates on Schumacher's health have been rare, but former F1 driver and friend Philippe Streiff—who himself uses a wheelchair after a crash in 1989—offered insight while talking to French radio. According to Alexandra Williams of the Daily Mirror, Streiff revealed:

"

He is getting better but everything is relative. It's very difficult. He can’t speak.

Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.

"

Friday, Nov. 14

Schumacher's Family Remain 'Confident'

Schumacher's family have delivered an update on the German icon, reiterating their confidence that he will recover from his horror crash.

The statement, posted on Schumacher's official website (h/t Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror), did not directly address his condition, but stated:

"

Your wishes give us strength. Still we receive wishes for Michael to get well soon every day, and still we are stunned by the sheer amount of sympathies.

We can only always thank you for facing this fight together with him and us. We remain confident and hope the best for Michael. Your strength is helping us to keep supporting him.

"

Thursday, Oct. 23

Schumacher Timeframe Emerges

Dr Jean-Francois Payen, who treated Schumacher while he was in a medically induced coma, has indicated a timeframe for the German's rehabilitation.

In an interview with Le Parisen and RTL radio, per Sydnee Watlow of the Daily Mirror, Dr Payen said:

"

I've seen some progress but I'd say that it's going to take time. It's like for other patients, it's a timescale of one to three years so we must be patient.

[...] Life after a head injury is punctuated with steps which can go from less heavy after-effects to some that are more heavy, that's all.

You have to go forward, one hopes, but you also have to give it time.

"

Saturday, Oct. 11 

Schumacher Beginning to Wake Up

Peter Allen of The Daily Mail provides an update on Michael Schumacher's recovery, via French F1 commentator Jean-Louis Moncet, who spoke on Europe 1 radio station:

"

I saw his son and he told me that Schumi is waking up very slowly; very slowly.

Although things are going at a slow pace, he has a lot of time, I would say he has his whole life in front of him to get back on track.

 

"

Wednesday, Oct. 8

FIA President Clarifies Comments on Schumacher's Recovery

On Tuesday, FIA president Jean Todt was quoted saying that F1 legend Michael Schumacher "can live a relatively normal life within a short period of time," following the skiing accident that left him fighting for his life.

However, motorsport.com has now revised the quotes credited to French radio station RTL, explaining that Todt's words were initially mistranslated. Here's the latest:

"

It was actually the reporter who had asked Todt if Schumacher will one day live a 'normal life' again, to which the former Ferrari boss answered: 'One can only hope.'

'We can say he will probably not be able to drive in Formula One again.

He has made progress in recent weeks and months, but there is still a long and hard road ahead of him. He needs time and rest. He fights and one can hope that things will improve quickly.'

"

Wednesday, Sept. 17

Schumacher's Treatment Costs Reported

Michael Schumacher is reportedly receiving £100,000-per-week treatment from specially trained medical staff as his rehabilitation continues following the skiing accident that left him fighting for his life.

Schumacher is back home after he was released from hospital last week, and although there is no significant update to his health, it has been confirmed that a team of specialists are looking after the racing legend.

Don Mackay and Allan Hall of the Daily Mirror quote a spokesman from Lausanne rehabilitation clinic:

"

A large part of the team that cares for Michael now was trained by our specialists.

We are following his treatment and are still a point of contact and entirely at his disposal.

"

Tuesday, Sept. 9

Schumacher Returns Home from Hospital

Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has returned home to continue his recovery from severe head wounds suffered over eight months ago in a skiing accident.

The retired racing driver's manager, Sabine Kehm, confirmed the news on Tuesday, but highlighted that Schumacher was still a long way from a full recovery after hitting his head on a rock in Meribel in France last December, per Jack de Menezes in the Independent:

"

Henceforth, Michael’s rehabilitation will take place at his home. Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months. There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.

"

Schumacher suffered severe brain damage in the ski crash and underwent two operations at Grenoble University Hospital following the incident.

In June, The Guardian reported that the 45-year-old German had been moved to the University Hospital of Lausanne—nearer his home in Switzerland—after coming out of a medically induced coma.

It seems that now, two and a half months on from his move to the Lausanne facility, the decision has been made to move the seven-time F1 champion back to his Gland home.

NBC Sports' Luke Smith summed up the thoughts of many in hoping that the decision signifies good news for Schumacher and his family concerning the progress of his recovery:

However, Bianca Garloff of Bild reproduced the full statement issued concerning the move which included a cautionary statement concerning assumptions about Schumacher's improved health:

The statement also seemingly contradicts reports from earlier in the year that the Schumacher home underwent major refurbishment to accommodate the recovery, per Alan Hall in The Sun (h/t the Mirror's Richard Hartley-Parkinson).

For obvious reasons, considering the severity of his injuries, the F1 legend's family are warning against reading too much into the move from hospital and it can only be hoped that it may aid his long-term health.