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Michael Schumacher Latest: F1 Legend Communicating with Eyelashes

Schumacher Communicating By 'Fluttering Eyelashes'
The Huffington Post UK
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Michael Schumacher is able to communicate by fluttering his eyelashes sparking hopes that the former Formula 1 world champion will be able to return home, according to reports.

The seven-times world champion is being treated at Grenoble hospital in Switzerland, near to his home, after being moved there from Lausanne in France last month. In June he emerged from a six-month coma caused by a skiing accident on 29 December 2013.

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Corinna Schumacher thanked fans for their support at the German Grand Prix

Schumacher's improving condition has revived hopes that he soon may be allowed to go home although doctors have stressed that he will need constant support. The 45-year-old is said to be answering questions from family members by moving his eyelashes.

Doctors at the clinic in Switzerland hope Schumacher will be able to sit upright in an advanced electronic wheelchair that he can control via his mouth within a few weeks, according to the Mirror.

The newspaper added that British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button had both written letters of support to their former rival.

"You are always in my prayers," Hamilton wrote. "Prayers of hope that you will pull through this difficult time."

Meanwhile Button said: "He's fighting his greatest battle right now and I know everyone at Formula One will hope that he will win again. I certainly hope he will."

Story continues after slideshow

Michael Schumacher tributes
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(01 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(02 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(03 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia - Race(04 of16)
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 30: Fans show their support for Michael Schumacher in the paddock during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit on March 30, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australian F1 Grand Prix - Practice(05 of16)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: The signature insignia of Michael Schumacher is seen on the visor of the drivers helmet of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing as he prepares to drive during practice for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australian F1 Grand Prix - Practice(06 of16)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: The signature insignia of Michael Schumacher is seen on the visor of the drivers helmet of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing as he prepares to drive during practice for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-AUS-F1(07 of16)
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speeds out of the pits with a special tribute to Michael Schumacher written on the side during the first practice session at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne on March 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO/William WEST IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Day 2 - Jerez, Spain(08 of16)
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A Ferrari pit board showing support for Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Day Two, Wednesday 29th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Preparations - Jerez, Spain(09 of16)
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Ferrari send their best wishes to Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Preparations, Monday 27th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Preparations - Jerez, Spain(10 of16)
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Ferrari send their best wishes to Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Preparations, Monday 27th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day One(11 of16)
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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - JANUARY 28: Message of support for Michael Schumacher is seen on the new Mercedes W05 during day one of Formula One Winter Testing at the Circuito de Jerez on January 28, 2014 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-F1-ESP-TEST-MERCEDES(12 of16)
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Mercedes AMG Petronas' British driver Lewis Hamilton drives the new Mercedes W05 displaying a message of support for seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher during the Formula One pre-season test days at Jerez racetrack in Jerez on January 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JORGE GUERRERO (Photo credit should read Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-AUTO-F1-SKIING-ACCIDENT-SCHUMACHER(13 of16)
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Young fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher hold a banner reading 'Happy Birthday Schumi' to mark his 45th birthday outside the Grenoble University Hospital Centre on January 3, 2014. Fans of Michael Schumacher gathered for a silent vigil for the Formula One legend's 45th birthday as he lay in a coma in a hospital in the Alpine city of Grenoble after a weekend skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-AUTO-F1-SKIING-ACCIDENT-SCHUMACHER(14 of16)
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Fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher hold flags of the Ferrari Formula One team as they stand in front of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre, to mark his 45th birthday, on January 3, 2014. Fans of Michael Schumacher gathered on January 3 for a silent vigil for the Formula One legend's 45th birthday as he lay in a coma in a French hospital after a weekend skiing accident. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(15 of16)
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GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Fans project a message reading '45 - Schumi Stay strong! Keep fighting!' on a wall of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(16 of16)
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GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Fans project a message reading '45 - Schumi Stay strong! Keep fighting!' on a wall of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

His wife, Corinna, personally thanked fans for their support over the year at last weekend's German Grand Prix.

Writing in the official programme for the race, she said: “The German Grand Prix gives me the perfect opportunity to cordially thank you for all your good wishes and positive energies you keep sending Michael. I have to say your sympathy blew us all away! Good to know that together we made it through the hardest time!

“Now we are facing a phase which will presumably take a long time,” she added. “We trust that time will be Michael's ally in this fight. Until then I would like to wish you and your families all the best as well.”

Earlier this month, Corinna had said her husband was 'getting better'.

Speaking to German women's magazine, Neue Post, Corinna was quoted as saying: "It's getting better, slowly certainly, but in any case it's improving.

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