Saturday, April 5, 2014

Schumacher: 'Moments of awakening'

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher gives a news conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2011. The German driver was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. Here's a look back at his personal and career highlights:Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher gives a news conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2011. The German driver was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. Here's a look back at his personal and career highlights:
Schumacher is hoisted by his pit crew at the Australian Grand Prix track in Adelaide, Australia, after winning the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship in 1994.Schumacher is hoisted by his pit crew at the Australian Grand Prix track in Adelaide, Australia, after winning the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship in 1994.
Schumacher holds up the victory trophy, left, and the French Republic President's trophy after winning the French Formula 1 Grand Prix in Magny Cours, France, in 1995.Schumacher holds up the victory trophy, left, and the French Republic President's trophy after winning the French Formula 1 Grand Prix in Magny Cours, France, in 1995.
Schumacher meets Pope John Paul II in 1999.Schumacher meets Pope John Paul II in 1999.
King Juan Carlos of Spain congratulates Schumacher after he won the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2001.King Juan Carlos of Spain congratulates Schumacher after he won the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2001.
Schumacher checks out an Enzo Ferrari at Frankfurt's International Motor Show in 2003.Schumacher checks out an Enzo Ferrari at Frankfurt's International Motor Show in 2003.
Schumacher steers his Ferrari in front of a Eurofighter on the track of a military airport in Grosseto, Italy, in 2003.Schumacher steers his Ferrari in front of a Eurofighter on the track of a military airport in Grosseto, Italy, in 2003.
Schumacher sits in his car before the start at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in 2004 in Shanghai.Schumacher sits in his car before the start at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in 2004 in Shanghai.
A man rides past a poster with Schumacher's likeness in Bahreman, Iran, in 2005.A man rides past a poster with Schumacher's likeness in Bahreman, Iran, in 2005.
Felipe Massa hugs Schumacher after Massa won first place in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Turkey in Istanbul in 2006.Felipe Massa hugs Schumacher after Massa won first place in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Turkey in Istanbul in 2006.
Schumacher drives during a practice session at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne in 2006.Schumacher drives during a practice session at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne in 2006.
Schumacher celebrates his win at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany in 2006 in Hockenheim, Germany.Schumacher celebrates his win at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany in 2006 in Hockenheim, Germany.
Schumacher's pit team works on his car during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of China in Shanghai in 2006.Schumacher's pit team works on his car during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of China in Shanghai in 2006.
Schumacher arrives for an awards ceremony in Oviedo, Spain, in 2007.Schumacher arrives for an awards ceremony in Oviedo, Spain, in 2007.
Schumacher autographs the T-shirt of an earthquake victim in Costa Rica in 2009.Schumacher autographs the T-shirt of an earthquake victim in Costa Rica in 2009.
Shumacher presents the new Mercedes SLS AMG, also the 2010 Formula 1 safety car, in Geneva in 2010.Shumacher presents the new Mercedes SLS AMG, also the 2010 Formula 1 safety car, in Geneva in 2010.
Schumacher visits the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to test eSafety technologies in 2011.Schumacher visits the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to test eSafety technologies in 2011.
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  • Michael Schumacher has shown "moments of consciousness and awakening," his agent says
  • "We keep remaining confident," says former Formula One world champion's agent
  • Schumacher, 45, has been in a medically induced coma for over three months
  • He suffered a severe head injury while skiing in France in late December

(CNN) -- He has been in a medically induced coma for over three months, but former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has shown "moments of consciousness and awakening," his agent said Friday.

Schumacher, 45, suffered severe head trauma in a skiing accident at the French Alps resort of Meribel on December 29.

His agent Sabine Kehm's latest update follows recent unsourced newspaper reports describing Schumacher's medical condition in more gloomy terms.

"Michael is making progress on his way," said Kehm. "He shows moments of consciousness and awakening.

"We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident."

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A seven-time world champion whose F1 career ended in 2012, Schumacher has been treated in Grenoble, France, since his accident.

But recently, former Formula 1 chief doctor Dr. Gary Hartstein said the prognosis for Schumacher was grave.

"As time goes on, it becomes less and less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent," he said in a March 24 blog post.

The "longer one remains in a vegetative state, the less the likelihood of emerging, and the higher the chances of severe ramifications if the patient does in fact emerge.

"Most definitions consider the vegetative state to be permanent one year after the injury.

"Patients who are in a persistent/permanent vegetative state have lifespans that are measured in months to a few years.

"This depends on baseline function (extraordinary in the case of Michael, of course), the quality of nursing care, and other imponderables. They usually die of respiratory or urinary infections. Longer survivals have been described, but are exceptional."

In early January, a French prosecutor investigating the accident said that speed was not a reason for Schumacher's fall.

His investigative team says it thinks the experienced skier hit a rock hidden beneath the snow while traversing an area between two marked pistes, which catapulted him face first onto another rock.

Schumacher ended up 9 meters (30 feet) from the edge of the piste, prosecutor Patrick Quincy said.

Footage from a small camera attached to Schumacher's helmet has been used to help the investigators' analysis.

As in Kehm's previous statements, Schumacher's agent asked the media to respect the privacy of the F1 legend's family.

"We would like to thank you all for the continuous sympathies," Kehm said. "At the same time, we again ask for understanding that we do not intend to disclose details.

"This is necessary to protect the privacy of Michael and his family, and to enable the medical team to work in full calmness."

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