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Michael Schumacher: Driver is paralysed and in a wheelchair, friend confirms

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Michael Schumacher is on a long road to recovery following his skiing accident on 29 December. The Formula One legend remains paralysed and in a wheelchair, his friend and former racing driver Philippe Streiff has revealed.Philippe, who is himself in a wheelchair following a crash in Brazil in 1989, spoke about Michael's progress during an interview on French radio.

michael schumacher © Photo: Getty Images
Michael Schumacher remains paralysed and in a wheelchair, Philippe Streiff has said

"He is getting better but everything is relative," said the Frenchman. "It's very difficult. He can't speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed."He has memory problems and speech problems."Philippe, a good friend of Michael's, was seen visiting the German driver while he was in intensive care at Grenoble Hospital in France.

Former racing driver Philippe has himself been in a wheelchair since a crash in 1989

Michael, 45, was moved to Lausanne Hospital in Switzerland in June, and is now being cared for at his home on the shores of Lake Geneva.Jean-Francois Payen, one of the doctors who has been treating Michael, said in October that he could take years to recover."I have noticed some progress but I would say we will have to give him time," said Dr Payen, who treated the star at Grenoble hospital. "It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience."