Report: Schumacher can't speak, communicates with his family with his eyes

Michael Schumacher's recovery after a brutal skiing accident is a slow one. 

The Formula One legend, who turned 46 on Saturday, is at home with his family near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and communicates with his eyes and by crying, according to The Telegraph, who cite a report from an Italian newspaper.

Newspaper Corriere della Serra said Schumacher is capable of demonstrating emotion through tears.

It said: "Sometimes a tear rolls down Michael's face. He cries when he hears the voice of his children or his wife.

"Michael has his eyes open but he is often looking into a void. In recent times he has been able to recognise the familiar faces of his family but he cannot communicate with them.

"He does not speak and he is not able to perform movements independently. He reacts to external stimuli but for now can only answer a familiar voice by opening his eyes."

Schumacher suffered serious brain trauma after a skiing accident in late December 2013, when his head hit a rock. He had two brain operations and may never fully recover.