- Doctors reduce Michael Schumacher’s sedation to start ‘waking up process’
- Former F1 world champion has been in a medically-induced coma for a month
- 45-year-old suffered a severe head injury when skiing in France in late December
(CNN) — He has been in a medically induced coma for over a month, but former Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher’s sedation is being reduced to start the “waking up process,” his agent said Thursday.
Schumacher suffered severe head trauma in a skiing accident at the French Alps resort of Meribel on December 29.
The announcement marks a key change to Schumacher’s condition, which has been routinely described as “stable” by agent Sabine Kehm in recent weeks.
“Michael’s sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
Read: Mercedes and Ferrari support Schumacher
“For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated.
“Please note that no further updates will be given.”
Kehm went on to repeat previous requests for the media to respect the privacy of Schumacher’s family.
“The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work. At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy.”
A seven-time world champion whose F1 career ended in 2012, Schumacher has been treated in Grenoble since his accident.
Neurosurgeons there operated twice to remove blood clots on the brain and reduce swelling, the reason he has been kept asleep since the surgery.
The German has been inundated with support from around the world during his stay, with his former stable Mercedes running the message “Keep Fighting Michael” on its silver livery when they revealed their new car for testing on Monday.
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