And on Thursday the newspaper revealed Schumacher had blinked during the
“first stage” of brain tests.
The newspaper’s deputy editor Jérémie Arbona said the publication was “100 per
cent sure” that its story was correct.
The paper wrote: “After gradually reducing the sedation of the patient, the
team of Professor Emmanuel Gay [the medic overseeing Schumacher’s treatment]
has been doing neurological tests since Monday. During this first stage, the
patient blinked.” Sky News quoted sources saying Schumacher was “responding
to instructions”.
It is not known if the information from the two separate reports is linked and
therefore whether Schumacher blinked on command.
But Professor Jean-Luc Truelle, the former head of the neurology department of
the Foch hospital in Suresnes, told L’Equipe that once the patient opens
their eyes there would be a “re-establishment of some kind of communication,
which we verify through simple commands,” such as “open your eyes, shut your
eyes, squeeze your hand”.
“Schumacher appears to show this type of reawakening,” wrote L’Equipe.
The newspaper said it was “undoubtedly the best news” since his accident.
Earlier in the day, following intense media interest worldwide, Schumacher’s
manager Sabine Kehm was forced to confirm that Schumacher was being brought
round from his coma. She had initially responded to the reports by telling
fans to treat all unofficial statements as speculation.
She said: “Michael’s sedation has recently been reduced to initiate a process
of awakening which may take a long time.
“To protect the family, initially it was clearly agreed between all parties
only to disclose this medical information once this process was
consolidated.
“The family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the sympathy they have
received from around the world.” Schumacher has been receiving
round-the-clock care in Grenoble University Hospital.
Surgeons have performed two operations to relieve pressure on his brain and
remove blood clots.
According to Prof Truelle, the two months following this phase are a period of
confusion in which the patient is in a state of “lethargy” and that recovery
stage can take “several years in the case of serious head injuries”.
It is possible for someone to spend several weeks in an induced coma and make
a full recovery. But Professor Gary Hartstein, Formula One’s chief medic
between 2005 and 2012, said: “It is extremely unlikely, and I’d honestly say
virtually impossible, that the Michael we knew prior to this fall will ever
be back.” Wife Corinna, 44, with whom the champion has two children Gina
Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, has remained at his bedside.
Schumacher had his catastrophic accident in the French ski resort of Meribel,
where he owns a chalet.