Michael Schumacher health update: Progress remains slow and full recovery still a long way off; Family deals with rising rehabilitation costs

(Credit: REUTERS/FILE)Michael Schumacher with his wife Corinna at the 2006 FIA Awards in Monaco.

Seventeen months after his horrific skiing crash in France, there is still no official information about the rehabilitation of the legendary Formula One driver Michael Schumacher whose wife, Corrina has imposed a tight news blackout on the driver's recovery. However, statements from known friends and associates remain optimistic, though some believe that he may never make a full recovery.

According to The Gospel Herald, Schumacher is listed as the wealthiest driver ever to have raced in Formula One. He has won 91 races and has amassed a fortune estimated to be over £520 million. His care costs, however, has totaled more than £10 million since his skiing accident in December 2013. Schumacher is being cared for by a team of 15 medical experts in a special clinic set up on the grounds of his Swiss home. The report says that the Schumacher family is believed to be spending roughly £100,000-a-week for the special setup.

It was speculated that the Schumacher family is currently facing financial problems due to the rising costs of his medical needs. Schumacher's wife, Corrina, had already sold off their private jet and a holiday home in Norway for an estimated £25 million. Corrina, however, has defended her actions by claiming that she is only selling assets that are no longer needed.

In a recent article, Ecumenical News had summarized Schumacher's health condition, which hasn't shown much improvement since the accident. He still remains mute and unable to walk. Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a video conference that the legendary driver is "making progress" but a full recovery is a long way. "We are happy to say still he does improvement and I say this always considering the severeness of the injury he had," Kehm said.

In December 2013, Schumacher suffered a traumatic brain injury after a skiing accident in the French Alps. He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma until June 2014. He was transferred from the hospital in Grenoble to the University Hospital in Lausanne for further rehabilitation. Schumacher was brought back to his home to continue his rehabilitation in September 2014.

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