Michael Schumacher "Will Remain an Invalid": Report
Michael Schumacher's recovery from coma is being hailed the world over. The legendary F1 driver who spent 170 days in hospital after a skiing accident will however need constant assistance, say medical experts.
Formula One legend Michael Schumacher "will remain an invalid for the rest of his life" according to medical experts quoted by the British press. The German racer who recovered from coma after a skiing accident in December last year was transferred from his hospital in the French town of Grenoble to a Swiss hospital earlier this week.
According to a report in UK's The Independent, doctors have said while revival from his state of induced coma is a positive sign, Schumacher has permanent damage. "He will remain an invalid all his life and will always remain dependent on others' help," medical expert Erich Riederer was quoted as saying. "It is an incredibly positive message when someone wakes up after being in a coma for half a year," he added. "For him it is positive, but also for his family, this is hugely important."  (Also read: German football team dedicates win vs Portugal to Schumacher)
It is believed that Schumacher would have made progress if he manages to sit up unaided in the next three months and operate an electric wheelchair in six. His family doctor - Gary Hartstein - has however said that the 45-year-old will be in a "minimally conscious state". (Recap read: Schumacher's wife builds a 10 million pound medical suite at home)
Schumacher, who spent 170 days in the Grenoble hospital, will be under constant medical supervision. His recovery from coma though was hailed the world over. That he was awake during his transfer to a Swiss hospital is being seen as another positive sign although reports suggest he has lost considerable body weight.
Schumacher slammed his head on a rock while skiing in the French resort of Meribel in December and was put in a medically induced coma after undergoing brain surgery at the hospital in the Alpine city of Grenoble.
His family said at the end of January that drugs used to keep the 45-year-old in his deep sleep were being reduced to bring him back to consciousness, but little had filtered out about his condition since then.