Michael Schumacher’s agent, Sabine Khem, has said that the Formula 1 legend is “showing small signs of progress” as he continues to recover in a Grenoble hospital from the severe brain injuries he suffered in a skiing accident in December 2013.
Kehm issued a statement earlier this month saying that Schumacher was showing “moments of consciousness and awakening“. This had been the first news on Schumacher’s condition in over a month. Kehm however elaborated while speaking on a German TV station, ARB, on Sunday evening saying that the family have “great courage” from the signs Schumacher is showing.
“There are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress,” she said. “There are moments when he is awake and moments when he is conscious, which make us happy and give us great courage. 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. 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 further said that interaction with Schumacher is “on a very limited basis” and that his brain injury means “a medical prognosis is not possible”.
During the interview she also reiterated the desire for members of the press to be sensitive in their handling of news around Schumacher’s injury.
“What upsets the family most is media quoting doctors who are not treating Michael and untruths are constructed from these,” she said. “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.”
Regarding the champion’s long-term care, Kehm stated that if Schumacher was to be moved a rehabilitation clinic, his health and progress made along the way – would become a “private matter” and that the family would not release any updates.
