Michael Schumacher leaves Swiss hospital, will rehabilitate at home

USPA News - Retired German race car driver Michael Schumacher was discharged from a Swiss hospital on Tuesday to continue his rehabilitation at home, more than eight months after being critically injured in a skiing accident in France, his spokeswoman said. "Henceforth, Michael`s rehabilitation will take place at his home. Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months. There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead," Schumacher`s spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm, said in an emailed statement.

Kehm expressed gratitude to the entire team at the hospital in Lausanne on behalf of the family, thanking hospital staff for their thorough and competent work. "We ask that the privacy of Michael`s family continue to be respected, and that speculations about his state of health are avoided," she added. No other details about Schumacher`s condition were immediately disclosed, but there was no indication that there had been a significant change in his health status. The seven-time Formula One World Champion suffered a severe head injury from a skiing accident on December 29, 2013, when he fell and hit a rock while skiing with his family on the slopes of the French Alps in Meribel. He underwent two operations to remove blood clots from his brain and remained in a medically-induced coma for more than five months until he began to show signs of progress, including "moments of consciousness and awakening," in early April. Schumacher, who is 45, was released from a hospital in Grenoble in mid-June when Kehm announced that the Formula One legend was no longer in a coma. He was then transferred to Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in western Switzerland and will now continue his rehabilitation at home in Gland. Schumacher, with 90 wins, 68 pole positions, 75 fastest laps, 1354 points and seven world titles, is regarded by many as the greatest Formula One driver of all time. He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five consecutive titles from 2000. In 2002, he made Formula One history by becoming the only driver to place in the top three in every race during a season and also broke the record for most consecutive podium finishes. He first retired after winning the 2006 Italian Grand Prix but returned to Formula One in February 2010, only to retire for a second time after finishing in the 14th position at the Brazilian Grand Prix in November 2012.