Doctors have warned Michael Schumacher’s family that he may be in a permanent vegetative state but his loved ones say they won’t give up hope.
The F1 legend, 45, may be suffering from Apallic Syndrome, a diagnosis that can’t be verified until months after an injury. He has been in a coma for four weeks now.
People with the condition show responses like anger, hunger or pleasure but not the same way or in response to the same things that they would if they were awake.
Dr Colin Shieff, neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London, told the Mirror that the Schumacher family should be prepared for that potential diagnosis.
“In my own professional personal experience it would be too early to put any such label on Michael Schumacher, but it is correct for doctors to warn his family at this stage – and it is absolutely horrible for doctors to watch,” he said. “There are situations worse than dying from an injury.”
Schumacher’s wife Corinna, 44, said they family continued to hope for the best.
“We all know: he is a fighter and will not give up!” she said.
The family released a statement saying the level of support they had received had helped them in their darkest hours.
“We are deeply moved that there is no let up in the good wishes for Michael from around the world. That gives us strength. Thank you all of you!”
Doctors, and undoubtedly Schumacher’s family by now, know that the longer he remains unresponsive the less likely it is that he will pull through unscathed.
Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux, said: “Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving.”
