The 45-year-old Schumacher suffered serious head injuries when he
fell and hit the right side of his helmet on a rock in the French resort
of Meribel on Dec. 29. The seven-time F1 champion has been in an
induced coma in Grenoble University Hospital since then, although his
condition stabilized following surgery after initially being described
as critical.
Former F1champ hit head on rock while skiing in Meribel, France on Dec. 29
The accident happened on a family vacation in the Alps as Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son.
Schumacher earned universal acclaim for his uncommon and sometimes
ruthless driving talent, which led to a record 91 race wins. He retired
from Formula One in 2012 after garnering an unmatched seven world
titles.
Schumi, as his fans affectionately call him, was famously aggressive
on the track and no less intense away from driving. In retirement, he
remained an avid skydiver, horseback rider, and skier.
And now doctors are slowly trying to wake him up.
"Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of
the waking up process which may take a long time," Schumacher's manager,
Sabine Kehm, said in a statement.
One reason for reducing the sedation is to see if the swelling has
gone down in the patient's brain and to assess what level of functions
has been retained.
Kehm said she was only providing an update now on Schumacher's
condition to clarify media leaks, and that no further details would be
provided. French newspaper l'Equipe first reported on Wednesday that
doctors had started waking Schumacher.
"The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its
privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating
Michael in their work," Kehm said. "At the same time, the family wishes
to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy. ... For the
protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested
parties to communicate this information only once this process was
consolidated. Please note that no further updates will be given."
Schumacher was being kept artificially sedated and his body
temperature was lowered to between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius, to reduce
swelling in the brain, reduce its energy consumption and allow it to
rest.
