August 24, 2014

F1 Champion Michael Schumacher No Longer in Coma

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. coma /ˈkoʊ mə/ (n.) – a condition in which a patient is unconscious for a long time, usually because of serious brain injuries
Example: My friend went into a coma after he fell from the ladder.

2. horrific /hɔˈrɪfɪk, hɒ-/ (adj.) – referring to anything that causes shock or horror
Example: The horrific disaster injured 300 students.

3. rehabilitation /ˌriːəbɪlɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ (n.) – a procedure that helps a person get back to good health through training and therapy
Example: After a month of rehabilitation, he finally got back in shape.

4. slam /slæm/ (v.) – to hit or crash into something
Example: The car slammed into the pole after the driver lost control of the brake.

5. disability /ˌdɪs əˈbɪl ɪ ti/ (n.) – the state in which a person has limited physical or mental abilities
Example: Special programs are provided for people with disabilities.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
Formula One Champion Michael Schumacher has woken up from a coma caused by a horrific skiing accident last December.

According to his manager, Sabine Kehm, Schumacher left Grenoble [gruh-NOH-buh l] Hospital where he was confined in since the accident. The 45-year-old racer was transferred to the Laussane [loh-ZAN] University Hospital in Switzerland to continue his long-term rehabilitation.

Schumacher suffered major head injuries after his head slammed on a rock while skiing with his son in the French Alps. Although doctors tried their best to remove the blood clots, some were still deeply buried in his brain. To prevent Schumacher’s brain from further swelling, the doctors put the racer in a medically induced coma. A month after the accident, the doctors tried to wake him up by withdrawing sedatives.  

Whether the German racer will fully recover from the incident or not is still not certain. Dr. Tipu Aziz, a neurosurgery [noo r-oh-SUR-juh-ree, nyoo r-] professor, explained that leaving the hospital from a coma means Schumacher can now breathe by himself and do other bodily functions.

However, going into rehabilitation suggests that the injury resulted in long-term side effects. While rehabilitation would take months, it would help the racer train to cope with disabilities.

In an official statement, Schumacher’s family thanked all the people who have sent him good wishes. The family also asked for the fans’ understanding, as Schumacher’s rehabilitation will be conducted privately, so there might not be a lot of media updates about his recovery.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What can Michael Schumacher do to fully recover from his injury?
·         Do you think it is a good decision to make Schumacher’s rehabilitation private? Why or why not? 

Discussion B

·         How important is privacy in an athlete’s life?
·         If you were an athlete/celebrity, what aspects of your life would you want to be hidden publicly? Kindly discuss your answer.