MailOnline: Michael Schumacher is not bed-ridden anymore 5 years since the accident

December 29 marks the 5th year since Formula One driver Michael Schumacher fell and hit his head while skiing in Meribel, in the French Alps. Five days later, the former racer will turn 50.

Despite the secrecy behind his health, Sportsmail reported that the star was no longer bed-ridden.

In March, it was reported that Michael Schumacher, 49, had been left unable to speak or walk after his accident. However, it is now understood that he isn’t bed-ridden.

Schumacher was said to be receiving extensive nursing and physiotherapy care. His nursing care has been estimated to cost more than $60,000 a week.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. The former race-driver was also said to be no longer on tubes as well and the news has gotten a huge response from fans.

Schumacher is living with close family members in the main body of a $62,996,100 mansion on the banks of Lake Geneva. On January 3, the racer will turn 50, five days after the anniversary of his accident.

Corinna, his wife of over 20 years, insisted that his progress is kept a secret. It’s been reported that anyone who spoke out would no longer be regarded as a friend to the family.

Earlier in the year, Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm shared that the family appreciated the “empathy” coming from fans. However, she made it clear that they wanted to keep the details about his health private.

She said:

"What can be said is that the family really appreciates the empathy of the fans. The people really do see and understand [his health situation] is not to be shared in the public eye."

On December 29, 2013, Schumacher was on holiday with his son Mick, 14, when the accident occurred. He fell and hit the right side of his head on a rock so hard that the force of it split his helmet open.

The famous and legendary race-driver was rushed to a hospital where surgeons removed blood clots from his brain. However, some clots had to be left behind as they were so deeply embedded.

Schumacher was stabilized and put into a medically-induced coma. He was later brought out of it when it was safe to do so.

Schumacher's family scarcely reported on the driver’s health in the years that followed the incident. However, it is believed that the racer has continued to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately since leaving the Lausanne hospital.