'Wheelchair-bound Schumacher paralysed and speechless'

legendary Formula 1 Michael Schumacher is paralysed and in a wheelchair, who cannot speak and has memory problems, former racing driver Philippe Streiff said Wednesday.

"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," Streiff, a good friend of Schumacher, was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Streiff is himself wheelchair-bound after suffering a crash in Brazil during pre-season tests in 1989.

The 45-year-old Schumacher suffered a ski accident in the French Alps Dec 29 last year, which left him brain damaged and fighting for his life.

The seven-time champion was transferred to lausanne Hospital, Switzerland, in June this year and he is now being cared for at his home on the shores of lake Geneva.