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Michael Schumacher is reportedly able to communicate with his wife and family.
The retired racing driver came out of his coma on 16 June , after six months.
He is also said to have lost a quarter of his body weight (three stone) since his skiing accident on 29 December which left him with severe head injuries and in an artificially-induced coma.
He has had his muscles and joints massaged daily, according to German newspaper Bild .
The F1 legend is now recovering at the Vaud university hospital at Lausanne , Switzerland, close to his family home, after being transferred from a French hospital.
His manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement that he will now “continue his long phase of rehabilitation”.
Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthdayShow all 10 1 /10Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 As the former Formula 1 champion fights for his life, well-wishers and supporters have staged a vigil outside the Grenoble hospital where he is currently being treated.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 Candles were lit in support of the F1 champion, who is currently in a medically induced coma
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 T-shirts with the slogan ‘I Heart Schumi’, Ferrari caps, banners and flowers festooned the fences surrounding the medical facility.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 Meanwhile, Ferrari clubs from France and Italy gathered outside the hospital.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 Michael Schumacher’s fans were determined not to let his 45th birthday pass by unmarked, and left scores of tributes.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 In the deepest respects for his recovery, the vigil was entirely silent.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 While a sombre and poignant occasion, those present are optimistic to hear more encouraging news on the medical condition of the German sportsman.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 The team with whom Schumacher won a record five titles in a row with between 2000 and 2004 organised a silent march in support.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 Schumacher is currently believed to be in a critical but stable state.
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Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday January 3 2014 On his fans, the Schumacher family said in a statement: "They are giving us great support. We all know he is a fighter and will not give up. Thank you."
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However, the news may not be as significant as hoped. Schumacher’s former doctor, Gary Hartstein, said he could be in a “minimally conscious state” and has questioned the language used to describe his condition.
French medical experts warned that only one in ten patients who spent so many months in a coma went on to recover all or most of their mental and physical capacities.
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