Michael Schumacher has blinked after undergoing brain testing. Doctors began waking up the former Formula One champion from the induced coma he has been in since a skiing accident last month.
Schumacher was skiing in the French resort of Meribel on Dec. 29 when he fell and hit the right side of his helmet on a rock. While his initial condition was critical, he was stabilized before he was induced.
The 45-year-old is at Grenoble University Hospital where doctors will slowly reduce the sedation on Jan. 30 to begin the waking up process. One reason is to see if the swelling in the brain has gone down and to assess what brain functions are still active.
The seven-time F1 champion’s manager Sabine Kehm said the update on Schumacher’s condition was provided to clarify media leaks.
Reports by CBC and CTV state that Schumacher’s family is grateful for the worldwide sympathy but is asking to respect their privacy and medical secret as no other information will be provided.
Schumacher retired from Formula One in 2012 after winning seven world titles. However, he maintained his well-known ruthless and aggressive talents even in retirement through partaking in activities such as skydiving, horseback riding and skiing.
The former racer was with his 14-year-old son in the French Alps at the time of the accident.
