Zanardi hardly speaks again after 5 brain operations, returns home (5th Update)
Full interview with Daniela Zanardi:
Daniela, the sympathy you receive from all over the world is certainly still very high?
Daniela Zanardi: “Yes, we still get a lot of messages and especially on Alex’s 55th birthday in October it was overwhelming how many people have sent him their best wishes, also via social media. We are very grateful to see how many people all over the world have Alex in their thoughts. This great sympathy shows how much Alex’s recovery touches the people. For this reason, we have decided to offer the public an insight into his current recovery process for the second time with this interview. At the same time, we appreciate everybody’s understanding that, apart from this, we cannot respond to the many requests about this health and we also ask everybody to respect our privacy. Because our highest priority is to accompany Alex on his way with our full energy.”
What can you say about the recovery process? How is Alex these days?
Zanardi: “The recovery continues to be a long process. The rehabilitation program led by doctors, physiotherapists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists has enabled steady progress. Of course, setbacks are there and can still occur. Sometimes you also have to make two steps back in order to make one step forward. But Alex proves again and again that he is a real fighter.”
… who has reached an important milestone!
Zanardi: “Yes, indeed. An important step was that Alex was able to leave hospital a few weeks ago and is back at home with us now. We had to wait very long for this and are very happy that it was possible now, even if there are still temporary stays in special clinics planned for the future to carry out special rehabilitation measures on site.”
How did Alex settle at home?
Zanardi: “Very well. After the long time in hospital it is important for him to be back with his family and in his familiar environment. You also have to consider that, due to the Corona situation, Alex had only people with face masks and in protective equipment around him for one and a half years. In addition, due to the comprehensive and important protective measures in the clinic, the visiting possibilities are, of course, very restricted.”
What does that mean exactly?
Zanardi: “Alex hasn’t met friends and part of the family for one and a half years. Only me, our son and Alex’s mother could visit him, but always only one person per day and this only for one and a half hours. All this did not help to make the situation easier for Alex. Therefore it helps that he is now at home with us, even if also at home he currently can only be with the closest family as Corona numbers are increasing again. But we are with Alex all day, he is in his familiar environment and thus could return a little bit to normality. This gives him additional power. We are very grateful to the medical staff in the clinics he has been treated in. The doctors, care personnel, therapists and everybody being involved have done so much for Alex and continue to accompany us in his recovery process. In the clinics, Alex is in very good hands, but his own home still is his own home.”
What can you tell us about his daily program and routine?
Zanardi: “It varies. Different programs Alex did in hospital, are continued at home now. During the week, a therapist works with him, and they do physical, neurological and logopedical exercises. In regards of his physical condition, there is a lot of progress. Alex has more and more strength in the arms, that has increased a lot. And, other than in hospital where he was in bed a lot, Alex now spends most of the day in the wheelchair with us. He just rests a bit in the afternoon after lunch.”
What are the further expectations for his recovery process?
Zanardi: “You still can’t predict how his recovery will further develop. It is still a long and challenging way that Alex tackles with a lot of fighting spirit. It is a big help for him and us that we receive so much support on this way, not only from the doctors and therapists that intensively work with him. Our friends are always there for us. This includes the BMW Group family which we can always count on and that is firmly at our side also in this difficult time. We are very grateful to everyone for that and for so much more because these strong ties give us additional energy. This also goes for the continued sympathy we receive from racing drivers, fans and acquaintances from all over the world. We would like to express a big Grazie to all who send their good thoughts and power to Alex. We wish everybody a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.”
December 20, 2021
In an interview with BMW, his wife Daniela provided the first update on her husband Alex Zanardi’s condition since July, saying that Zanardi had left hospital “a few weeks ago” to continue his recovery at home.
“The recovery continues to be a long process,” she said. “The rehabilitation program led by doctors, physiotherapists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists has enabled steady progress.
“Of course, setbacks are there and can still occur. Sometimes you also have to make two steps back in order to make one step forward. But Alex proves again and again that he is a real fighter.
“An important step was that Alex was able to leave hospital a few weeks ago and is back at home with us now. We had to wait very long for this and are very happy that it was possible now, even if there are still temporary stays in special clinics planned for the future to carry out special rehabilitation measures on site.”
“It is a big help for him and us that we receive so much support on this way, not only from the doctors and therapists that intensively work with him. Our friends are always there for us. This includes the BMW Group family which we can always count on and that is firmly at our side also in this difficult time.
“We are very grateful to everyone for that and for so much more because these strong ties give us additional energy. This also goes for the continued sympathy we receive from racing drivers, fans and acquaintances from all over the world.
“We would like to express a big ‘Grazie’ to all who send their good thoughts and power to Alex.”
July 1, 2021
Alex Zanardi’s wife, Daniela, has given an update on the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion. It seems a previous report he could talk was incorrect.
“One year after the accident, Alex’s condition is essentially stable,” confirmed Daniela. “He is currently in a special clinic, where he is undergoing a rehabilitation program. This includes multimodal and pharmacological simulations under the guidance of doctors, physiotherapists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists to try to facilitate his recovery.”
She confirmed Zanardi has yet to regain his speech, but they remain hopeful this will eventually return with more time.
“It has been a very complex process that has required more neurosurgery and been characterized by a number of setbacks. Alex is in a stable condition, which means he is able to undergo training programs for both his brain and his body.
“He can communicate with us, but he is still unable to speak. After a long time in a coma, the vocal cords must regain their elasticity. This is only possible through practice and therapy. He still has a lot of strength in his arms and hands, and is training intensively on the equipment.
“It is certainly another huge challenge. It is a very long journey and at the moment no predictions are made on when he will be able to return home. We put all our energy in Alex’s recovery.”
“We have received so many best wishes for his recovery, and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you, on behalf of Alex, for every single message. I would like to tell all those people who are thinking of and praying for Alex that he is fighting – as he always has done.
“The affection we have received from friends, fans, acquaintances, athletes and those involved in motorsport over the past year has been nothing short of touching and overwhelming and has been of enormous support for us in dealing with all this. However, a very special thank you goes to the medical personnel.”
April 27, 2021
An update on Alex Zanardi from his son:
“Dad has been conscious for some time now, since some months. Little by little, his conditions are improving. small steps. But we know that it is a long journey, it will take a long time. Nobody knows what he will be able to do again.”
January 13, 2021
Former CART and F1 driver Alex Zanardi has resumed talking after his terrible accident last June 19th . The great news came from Federica Alemanno , neuroscientist at the San Raffaele in Milan, who spoke to the Corriere della Sera.
Zanardi underwent the so-called “awake surgery”, literally “awake surgery”. What it consists of, Federica Alemanno, a 36-year-old specialized in this type of treatment, explained directly: ” It is a very special technique that is done in very few centers in Italy and aims to guarantee the patient the best possible quality of life afterwards. It is used in special cases, especially in young patients, between 30 and 50 years old, with two types of disease: the so-called low-grade gliomas and cavernomas. The first are brain tumors that are not particularly aggressive, but which, with their presence in certain areas, can compromise some important brain activities, such as memory, speech and attention. Same goes for the cavernomas. They are quite rare diseases “.
December 21, 2020
Former Formula One and Indy racing star Alex Zanardi has taken significant steps in his recovery from a devastating handbike crash in June this year, Italian newspapers have reported.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera today wrote that Zanardi, 54, had recovered his hearing and sight, and was able to respond with hand movements to questions from doctors and his wife, Daniela.
Doctors have confirmed Zanardi was able to shake hands on demand and raise his thumb to signal “Ok”, and also turn his head towards Daniela.
Italian newspaper Corriere today wrote that the dual Indy champion cannot yet speak as the hole in his trachea is being kept open as a precaution.