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Berlin - The condition of Michael Schumacher's health will
remain closely guarded among family and close associates, the former Formula
One champion's manager said on Saturday.
"Michael's health is not a public issue, and so we will
continue to make no comment in that regard," Sabine Kehm said in a
statement. "We have to protect his intimate sphere. Legally seen and in
the longer term, every statement related to his health would diminish the
extent of his intimate sphere."
Schumacher sustained severe head injuries in a skiing
accident in France on December 29, 2013 and has been cared for at his home in
Switzerland since September 2014.
Kehm said the Schumacher family was aware that fans were
hoping for news of the 47-year-old German's condition, "but we do this
with full commitment to Michael's guidelines and can only thank people for
their understanding."
Kehm announced that the family was launching a "Keep
Fighting Initiative" as a sign of gratitude to fans and to encourage
people inspired by Schumacher's career "to keep fighting and never give
up."
Schumacher's accident happened on a family vacation as he was skiing with his son at the Meribel ski resort in the French Alps. The avid skier hit the right side of his head on a rock, cracking his helmet. Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded.
Schumacher's condition stabilized after he was placed in a drug-induced coma, from which he later emerged.
"Michael has always been very protective of his
privacy, even during the most successful times of his career. He has always
made sure there is a clear and distinct line between his public persona and his
private one," Kehm said.
Schumacher, who made his name with Benetton before joining Ferrari in 1996, won a record seven F1 titles and 91 races.
