Michael Schumacher, the former F1 champion, is showing “small signs of progress,” his manager Sabine Kehm said.
Schumacher has been in a coma since late December after he fell and hit his head while skiing in the French Alps.
Kehm said that “there are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress,” according to German broadcaster ARD. “There are moments when he is awake and moments when he is conscious.”
She added: “Of course I am not a doctor, but medically, there is a distinction between being awake and being conscious, the latter meaning there is an ability to interact with his surroundings.”
The interaction with Schumacher, 45, is “very limited,” she added.
“I don’t want to disclose details out of respect for the family, but we have no doubt at all in the abilities of the doctors treating Michael, they are experts in their field,” Kehm said, adding that a “a medical prognosis is not possible” because of the nature of his injury.
Schumacher was placed into a medically induced coma after the accident on December 29. Since, then he’s shown little progress.
“Michael Schumacher is in a coma and can not decide what is reported about him. We of course know how he deals with such things and try in his interest to handle these matters for him,” Kehm said.
Kehm added that the family is troubled when the media quotes “doctors who are not treating Michael and untruths are constructed from these,” according to The Telegraph. “It has been a problem when outsiders comment and it means we have to set the record straight, even when we don’t want to.”
Kehm again asked for privacy for Schumacher’s family, including his wife and children and thanked suppoters.
“Support from fans and well-wishers means very much to the Schumachers,” said Kehm. “We feel these people show genuine, affectionate interest and support.”
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