Revelation of Michael Schumacher’s Communication Methods Following His Ski Accident
New information on how Michael Schumacher communicates with his family and friends has been revealed after it is believed that he made his first public appearance following his tragic skiing accident back in 2013 at his daughter’s wedding in Spain in recent weeks.
The Formula One legend has not made an official public appearance since 2013, after his life-changing skiing incident that left him comatose for six months, and his family has made it their absolute priority to maintain Michael’s privacy, with no pictures taken of him since 2013 and only a select group allowed to visit.
There was, therefore, a strict set of rules for attendees of Gina Schumacher’s wedding. There would be no phones, cameras, or photography of any kind allowed due to the former seven-time world champion being in attendance for the ceremony – hosted at Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez’s, villa.
Michael Schumacher’s Tragic Accident
Schumacher’s incident on the slopes of the Alps in 2013 occurred when the German decided to go off-piste, where it is much harder to see obstacles hidden underneath the snow, and he tripped himself on a hidden boulder, hitting his head on another rock, causing a fractured skull and severe brain trauma.
Schumacher has been “continuing a long phase of rehabilitation” since his incident and this perhaps includes his communication skills, such is the nature of a serious traumatic brain injury that one can be left unable to communicate through speech.
Former Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore’s ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, has been one of the very few people to discuss Schumacher’s health, and she revealed the way in which he now communicates, saying: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him, and I know who they are.”
It was seemingly corroborated that he was unable to speak by his son and also former Formula One driver, Mick Schumacher, who spoke during a documentary about his father’s life.
“I think Dad and me, we would understand each other now,” he said. “In a different way.”
Michael Schumacher’s key Formula 1 statistics
First race
1991 Belgian Grand Prix
World Championships
7 (1994-95, 2000-04)
Number of races
308
Number of wins
91
Number of pole positions
68
Career points
1,566
Michael Schumacher’s Legacy in Formula 1
Schumacher will be remembered as one of the all-time greats of Formula One, holding almost every record once he decided to leave the sport, with seven world championships, 91 race wins, and 77 fastest laps across his career.
He also won five championships in a row with the most successful team in Formula One history, Ferrari, who will become home to another great of the sport, Lewis Hamilton, next season.
Schumacher’s former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt has also spoken about the German’s recovery, saying: “Michael is here, so I don’t miss him. [But he] is simply not the same Michael he used to be. He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children, who protect him.
“His life is different now, and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him.
“That’s all there is to say. Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula One.”
Many hope to once again see Michael Schumacher in the public eye, which, for the last ten years had seemed like it may never happen but with there being rumours that Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, allowed a handful of people to see him at his daughter’s wedding and with rumours his son Mick will soon be getting married, maybe he will be seen out in public again.