Schumacher Neurologists Say Full Recovery 'Unlikely' After Coma and Warn of Personality Change
Leading neurologists fear that Formula One champion Michael Schumacher may not be himself if he ever wakes up from a medically-induced coma. Schumacher has been under heavy sedation for the past two months in order to stabilize his condition and give his body a chance to recover.
"Michael is still in the wake-up phase," Schumacher's agent, Sabine Kehm, told The Independent. "This phase can be long. I also repeat – Michael's family is very happy and confident with the work of the team of doctors treating Michael, and they trust them completely. Michael's condition is still considered as stable."
He suffered a brief setback when he became ill with pneumonia and doctors had to stop the "waking-up" process. But now that appears to be back on track, which could mean that Schumacher is awake before long. Neurologists are cautious about bringing Schumacher "back" and warn that he could be a completely different person after suffering such a severe injury.
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"It does not bode well," Dr. Tipu Aziz, professor of neurosurgery at Oxford University said. He is not connected to the Schumacher case but offered his professional opinion. "The fact that he hasn't woken up implies that the injury has been extremely severe and that a full recovery is improbable. If you don't start getting any positive signs, that becomes very worrisome," he said.
"If Schumacher survives, he will not be Schumacher," Dr. Richard Greenwood, a consultant neurologist at London's Homerton Hospital told Daily Mail. "He will be Joe Bloggs," the doctor said, a reference to a new personality such as Americans may call "John Doe."
"His rehabilitation will only be effective if he comes to terms with being Bloggs and fulfills what Bloggs can do," Greenwood explained. "That's a very, very difficult process to take people through, and many people don't achieve it."
Schumacher hit his head on a rock while skiing back in December. He was air-lifted to a nearby hospital, where he has remained under intense care.
