Since Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident back in December, fans have held onto hope that he would come out of his coma and survive the terrible accident.
Since Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident back in December, fans have held onto hope that he would come out of his coma and survive the terrible accident. Despite the agonising wait and anticipation for this family and friends, along with the odds being against him, the seven-time Formula 1 champion has woken up and is beginning a long phase of rehabilitation.
The Accident
Schumacher suffered life-threatening injuries at the French Alpine resort of Meribel after falling and hitting his head. Brain injuries can be some of the most complicated for Doctor’s to treat, showing that it’s a blessing he is still alive.
“Without a helmet, Michael Schumacher would be dead,” said Guenter Hujara, Men’s Alpine skiing chief race director, shortly after the accident. It’s reported that Schumacher was travelling up to 60mph at the time of the accident.
After being airlifted to Grenoble Hospital, Schumacher was put in an artificial coma to try and stabilize his injuries and was operated on. Doctors have said that that controlling any bleeding in or around the brain is vital following major head injuries.
Endless Support
During the difficult months that have passed, the support for Schumacher has been never-ending. Celebrities, other sportsmen and fans took to twitter to show their respect, prompting others to keep the family in the middle of it all in their thoughts. The support now continues with news of him coming out of his coma, uniting the world of Formula 1.
Positive news that Michael is not in a coma anymore. Everyone in The Team is thinking of you! #keepfightingmichael pic.twitter.com/KomSLcYrUm
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) June 16, 2014
Outside the hospital racing flags were left to show respect as fans prepared for the worst. Formula 1 teams also showed their respect. Mercedes AMG Petronas showed support by putting #KeepFightingMichael on the side of their car, as the seven time world champion spent his last few years of racing with the team before his retirement.
Looking Forward
“Michael has left the CHU Grenoble hospital to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore,” his spokeswoman said in a statement.
The driver’s family have informed press that they hope to continue the rehabilitation privately, an understandable request from a family who have been through a significant ordeal already.
A statement said “His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months”.
In the past, professional skiers have been seriously injured but have come out of it and gone on to live a normal life, which is what we can only hope for Michael Schumacher. But with his wife Corinna spending £10m on building a medical suite at his home in Switzerland, it’s uncertain that he will ever make a full recovery.
