Letter from Philip Scott

Written on 12/01/2026

 

Dear Jana,

I am truly saddened that I won’t be able to join John’s online celebration of his life and work, but I felt must let you know, as John has been so present in my thoughts these last few days. I’m sure you will have many contributors from those working with John, however sad that I cannot mark the earliest days with Project’81 back at the start.

John was my last companion from those transformative times at Le Court. I look back on those days as a period when we were determined to challenge prevailing attitudes and dismantle barriers, all in pursuit of the simple, yet profound, goal of independent living. To lose John is to lose a vital connection to those daring early days of hope and activism. I miss him.

I still remember our first encounter — it felt like the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. After my discharge from hospital, my parents were pressuring me into care at Le Court. It was in the rather stark setting of the East Wing that I met John for the first time. His room, directly beneath mine, may have been dim, but it radiated with his irrepressible spirit. Within hours of my arrival, John shared the radical vision of leaving and building independent lives in our own homes. It was an easy decision for me, though it was many months before I dared not mention this to my parents!

Those early days were shaped by earnest discussions—often with Phil Mason, Liz, Tad and the other founding members, gathered in our modest rooms or the small library, all driven by a shared sense of purpose. The environment surrounding us was stark and institutional, but looking back, we made remarkable and rapid progress towards our goal. Our journeys across Britain, Europe and California brought us invaluable allies and evidence. We were not only breaking new ground in life choices, but also in transport. A friend who worked for Renault mentioned a new vehicle that was being launched, wondering if it was useful to us. It was the Renault Traffic, and it looked so promising that John and Philip embarked on a trip to Europe, tied down with rope in a standard van, without windows or any sound deadening. It was exhausting, but it epitomised the determination and resourcefulness that defined our movement. It was the first mainstream WAV.

Some years ago, I visited the Cheshire Garden at Le Court and found myself lingering by the Little Stone Hut, reading the names and remembering the faces of so many friends and allies. Not all were involved in Project’81, but they were friends in varying degree, who impact in my early life. Now, with John’s passing, those memories feel even more precious, and his absence weighs deeply on my heart. He gave his entire life to make independent living a normal and realistic option and he deserved his OBE.

It has been a joy to witness the happiness you and John found together. Please know that my thoughts are with you, and I wish you comfort and strength in the days ahead.

All the best, Philip