Schumacher’s manager denies report of his walking again

Bed-ridden Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is now able to take “tentative” steps with the aid of a carer and has regained slight movement in one arm, according to German magazine Bunte.

The front page of Bunte on Tuesday — headlined “He can move again” — has been published days before the second anniversary of his devastating ski accident in the French Alps.

But his management has emphatically denied the reports.

“Unfortunately, we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true. Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important for Michael,” Schumacher’s long-time manager, Sabine Kehm, was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk.

“Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people.”

Sabine Kehm accused Bunte magazine of raising “false hopes” with its report of Schumacher’s recovery.

Bunte says it is standing by its story and has no intention of removing it from newstands.

The report has an unnamed confidante of his telling the magazine: “Michael is very thin. But he can once again walk a little with the help of his therapists. He manages to make a couple of steps. And he can also raise an arm.”

Schumacher was holidaying with his wife Corinna and children Mick and Gina Maria on December 29, 2013, when he smashed his head on rocks during a low-speed ski-run at the resort of Mirabel where he owned a villa.

After being airlifted off the mountain, he underwent emergency operations to save his life, was placed in an artificial coma and spent months in hospital.

Since September last year, he has received extended therapy and care in a purpose built medical suite at his Lake Geneva mansion where a team of 15 people look after him around the clock. 

Schumacher is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion who is widely regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.

Schumacher’s injury attracted an extraordinary level of media interest, and his family had great difficulty protecting his privacy.

A journalist tried to gain access to his bedside disguised as a priest. 

His medical records were stolen and offered for sale, and the main suspect in the theft was later found hanged in his cell.

The driver emerged from his coma in April 2014, and returned to continue his recovery at his home in Switzerland that September.