Michael Schumacher’s health battle: What we know
A nurse has offered a rare insight into Michael Schumacher’s condition, revealing he is “conscious” after undergoing stem-cell treatment. Here’s what we know about the racing legend’s health.
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Formula One racing legend Michael Schumacher is reportedly “conscious” after undergoing stem-cell treatment in Paris.
The champion was admitted to the Georges-Pompidou hospital on Monday, according to the French newspaper Le Parisien, which said he was being treated by cardiovascular surgeon Philippe Menasche, described as a “pioneer in cell surgery”.
A hospital worker told Le Parisien: “Yes he is in my service. And I can assure you that he is conscious.”
Schumacher, who turned 50 last January, has not been seen in public since suffering serious head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013.
He was said to have had a fresh health scare before he was taken to the Pompidou hospital for stem cell treatment.
The treatment of the racing legend, whose precise physical and mental state is unknown, has been shrouded in secrecy.
The newspaper said Schumacher was due to receive an anti-inflammatory stem cell perfusion on Tuesday and to leave hospital on Wednesday after being transferred from his house in Gland in Switzerland in an ambulance.
Schumacher, who famously drove for Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes, is the greatest F1 driver of all time, having celebrated 91 Grand Prix victories during his incredible track career.
Here we look at the unanswered questions about Schumacher’s condition and his hopes of recovery.
WHAT IS HIS STATE OF HEALTH?
Formula One’s most successful driver was placed in a medically-induced coma for six months after he hit his head on a rock while skiing off piste on the French Alps on December 29, 2013 with his then 14-year old son, Mick.
The German ace underwent two operations after suffering ‘life-changing’ injuries in the accident.
He was moved from Grenoble hospital to Lausanne before being returned home in September 2014. Corinna Schumacher, his devoted wife, has overseen his care ever since.
Corinna has declined to discuss his condition but it has been suggested by old friends he is unable to walk or properly communicate.
Schumacher’s former Mercedes boss Nick Fry has urged the family to be more open about the health situation.
Mr Fry, the ex-CEO for Mercedes, said: “Because of what he achieved, people would like to know about his condition; they are inquisitive and they genuinely feel for him.”
An Italian expert Angelo Vescovi, scientific director of the IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, told Italian newspaper Ansa: “About 5-6 years ago I was contacted by a person who knew Schumacher’s family asking me if something could be done, but nothing happened back then.
“At that time with my group we had made an attempt, after a judge’s order, injecting the same cells we use for multiple sclerosis into the brain of a boy in a coma, with fairly good results, but later the law changed, and it became much more difficult, practically impossible to do it again.
“At the moment, however, we can only make assumptions about what doctors are doing in Paris.”
Jean Todt, Schumacher’s former team manager at Ferrari and president of the International Automobile Federation, said the star was “very well looked after. He lives with his family. He is continuing to fight (to get better).”
Schumacher’s family celebrated his 50th birthday at their home in Geneva this year, on January 3.
According to reports, only his trusted circle got to see him on his 50th birthday.
WHAT DOES HIS MANAGER SAY?
Schumacher’s former spokeswoman Sabine Kehm issued a rare statement about the driver on the anniversary of his accident.
Kehm described him as being “faithful, reliable, dutiful and fact-driven.”
However she acknowledged those same traits that helped him succeed on the track could also hold him back “in the human field”.
She told German outlet Express: “With the same meticulousness he used to drive his professional development, he shielded his private side and his family from public life, consciously accepting that people were having a hard time meeting him.”
Kehm claimed the racing legend “always freaked out” during public appearances and was a “complex human being”.
It is understood that Schumacher is receiving around-the-clock medical care at his private, luxury home overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland — not at a specialised hospital in a Swiss chateau.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Schumacher will be moved to a luxury home in Mallorca once owned by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
The property is valued at €30 million ($50 million) and has a main residence of 3,000 square metres and includes two large gardens and two swimming pools.
WHAT IS THE LEGEND’S EMOTIONAL STATE?
Earlier this year, “close relatives” reportedly gave French magazine Paris Match an insight into Schumacher’s current health.
One was quoted as saying: “When you put him in his wheelchair facing the beautiful panorama of the mountains overlooking the lake, Michael sometimes cries.”
It comes after a German archbishop said last December that the legend “senses that loving people are around him”.
Georg Ganswein has told how he paid an emotional visit to see Schumacher in 2016 as he recovered from his horror skiing accident three years earlier.
He said although Schumacher’s face has “become a little fuller” the record-breaking driver still looks the same as he did when last seen by his millions of fans.
“I sat opposite him, took hold of both hands and looked at him,” Ganswein said, according to German newspaper Bild.
“He senses that loving people are around him, caring for him and, thank God, keeping the overly curious public away.”
Schumacher’s former boss at Ferrari Jean Todt has told how he visits the race ace every month.
He told The Times: “I love Michael. I see his family. I wish the situation would be different.”
WHY HAS HIS CONDITION BEEN SHROUDED IN SECRECY?
Schumacher’s condition has been kept a closely-guarded secret by loyal friends and family.
Sabine Kehm said the star has always had a desire to maintain his privacy away from the spotlight.
“Michael always drew a clear distinction between his professional and personal lives,” Sabine Kehm said earlier this year.
“Even during his most successful times of his career, and the family wants to honour that distinction now.”
Speaking at a media meeting in March 2016, Sabine Kehm told how the seven-time F1 champ had always yearned for a life away from the cameras.
Her comments have only just been made public and could just reveal why she has never released any updates on the sport icon’s condition.
“In general the media have never reported on Michael and Corinna’s private life,” she said. “When he was in Switzerland, for example, it was clear he was a private individual.
Once in a long discussion Michael said to me: ‘You don’t need to call me for the next year, I’m disappearing.’
“I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that some day. That’s why now I still want to protect his wishes in that I don’t let anything get out.”
Originally published as Michael Schumacher’s health battle: What we know
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