Schumacher wheelchair-bound, has memory, speech problems, says close friend

, Nov 20: Former F1 champion

is paralysed and has memory and speech problems from the brain injuries he sustained in a skiing accident, said

.

According to Philippe Streiff, a friend and ex-Formula One driver, said that Schumacher is in wheelchair and has memory and speech problems. Streiff is wheelchair-bound since a crash in Brazil during pre-season tests in 1989. The crash left him a quadriplegic. He revealed the details while speaking on French radio.

The Guardain quotes him saying, "He is getting better but everything is relative. It's very difficult. He can't speak. Like me he is in a wheelchair, paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems."

The 45-year-old Schumacher suffered head injuries in the skiing accident in December 2013 . That Schumacher, a very competent skier, met with such an accident left many surprised. He was holidaying with family and friends in Meribel. He was skiing with his 14-year-old son on a red piste, when the tragic fall happened.

He was placed in an induced coma by doctors in hospital in France. He was shifted to his home in Lake Geneva in September after spending nine months in hospital. However, doctors said his condition was more or less the same.

However, the spokeswoman for Schumacher said Streiff's words were 'his opinions'.

In October, doctors treating Schumaher had opined that he could need years to recover fully. During the treatment period, there were many rumours on Schumacher's death, which his doctors and family rubbished off. The family, at one point, pleaded with the media to stay away from reporting anything on the formula one champion's health.

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