Schumacher's manager admits the Formula 1 legend faces a 'difficult and long' recovery

Sabine Kehm yesterday said it was 'not possible' to say how long it would take for Scumacher to fully recover. She said he faced a 'difficult' and 'long' rehabilitation. Schumacher suffered severe head injuries while skiing with his family in the French Alps on December 29. The accident left him with brain damage and he was in a coma for six months. He has been recovering at his home in Gland, Switzerland, since June. The Local reports Ms Kehm as saying: 'Michael is making progress appropriate to the severity of his situation, but it will be a difficult and long process.' Ms Kehm said Schumacher's family are grateful for the constant flood of well wishes from fans of the seven-time world champion.She said: 'I can only say again that the family is very happy and touched by the sympathetic messages.'I believe that positive energy does them good. We appreciate the condolences from around the world.'Last month, a French doctor treating Schumacher said that the 45-year-old was making progress, but will need years to fully recover.Schumacher is said to be paralysed and in a wheelchair. He cannot speak and has memory problems, according to former racing driver Philippe Streiff who has visited him.The Frenchman said: 'He is getting better but everything is relative.'Streiff, 59, was seen visiting Schumacher when the German was in intensive care in Grenoble Hospital, France.Schumacher, a very competent skier, was holidaying with family and friends in Meribel, where he owns a chalet when the accident happened. He was skiing with his 14-year-old son on a red piste, which is classed for intermediate skiers.But shortly after 11am he left the piste and skied on to an off-piste area located in between the red run and a blue run, for beginners to intermediates.It was here that he struck a partially-covered rock. He was not skiing fast but he lost control and catapulted 34 feet on to another rock.He smashed his head on the bolder. The force of the collision shattered his helmet. The footage recorded on a camera attached to his helmet was undamaged.The film, which included audio, captured the crash in full horror and was analysed by police who investigated the accident.Two months later, on February 17, the head of the inquiry Prosecutor Patrick Quincy closed the case. He announced that any criminal wrongdoing had been ruled out.He cleared the ski resort, stating that the piste had been marked correctly and that Schumacher 'deliberately' left the ski run.Bakudaily.Az