Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is said to be paralyzed, in a wheelchair and unable to speak following a skiing accident nearly a year ago.
According to ex-F1 driver Philippe Streiff, the Daily Mail reported that the seven-time champ is wheelchair-bound, like Streiff, with memory and speech difficulties.
"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," shared the Frenchman, 59, who is a good friend of the German, Schumacher.
However, Sabine Kehm, the spokesperson for Schumacher described Streiff's comments as "his opinions" and added: "[Streiff] did not have contact with us," quoted The Guardian.
Last week, the Schumacher family took to the German racer's official website to thank everyone "for facing this fight together with him and us," noted News.com.au.
Without mentioning details about the champion's condition, the statement added: "We remain confident and hope the best for Michael. Your strength is helping us to keep supporting him."
Schumacher, described as a skilled and competent skier met an skiing accident on Dec. 29 last year while on vacation in the French Alps. The legend left the piste ad skied to an off-piste area where he lost control and struck his head on a partially covered rock leaving him brain damaged. Mail Online recalled how he then hit his head on another rock, this time a boulder with such force his helmet shattered.
Following the incident, Schumacher was placed in a medically-induced coma for over six months to lessen the brain damage stemming from injuries. Presently, the 45-year-old F1 legend is currently being cared for at home.
"I have noticed some progress but I would say we will have to give him time," said Jean-Francois Payen, via The Guardian, who treated Schumacher at the Grenoble hospital, the site the facility was taken after the accident.
Saying that the recovery process could take time, as much as three years, before Schumacher could gain full consciousness and regain motor skills.
"It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience," he added
Dr. Payen has shared that he still treats the former racer in his home as well as a Lausanne hospital.
