Who we are and why we do what we do.
Austin’s Story
Austin Reese McDougal (ARM) 9/26/95-1/14/21
On the morning of January 5, 2021, Austin, a completely healthy 25 year old, avid runner, drove himself to the hospital with a headache. To the absolute shock of his family and friends, he was diagnosed with a massive watershed stroke. He underwent a craniectomy 2 days later and the prognosis was good. But on the night of the 9th, his family was notified that the swelling had returned and there was nothing more they could do. His brain just couldn’t take any more pressure. On the night of January 14, 2021, at 10:10 PM, with both of his parents by his side, Austin transitioned out of this world into a new one.
Austin was an organ donor and his gifts have saved many lives. He was also a big brother to Bailey and Casey. He was the first child to Gaylea and Scott and the first grandchild welcomed into a big family who misses him desperately. He was a friend to many and a lover of all people. A kinder soul you will never find.
Austin loved to run. You could often find him running through the backroads and the front roads of Chattanooga, the town he moved to for college and eventually called home. You could also find him hiking, kayaking and chasing waterfalls all around middle TN, when he wasn’t napping in his hammock, caring for his many houseplants or reading up on astrology, spirituality or philosophy.
But the thing Austin was most known for and the thing he was most passionate about was his art. Painting was his purpose. His gift. His legacy. He was quite the prodigy from a very young age and his loss to the art community will be felt forever. HIs parents inherited over 100 of his beloved pieces which they will be sharing through the ARM Foundation’s art gallery soon. Until then, you can purchase many of his works via print by visiting his website at: AustinMcDougal.com All proceeds from print sales will go the ARM Foundation.
You can also find Austin’s complete collection scattered across all of his social media platforms by searching for @AustinMcDougalArt
Austin’s Family
Christmas 2020- Last Family Picture
Austin left behind his parents, Scott & Gaylea McDougal, (the founding members of the ARM Foundation), two younger brothers, Bailey and Casey, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. Through the family’s grieving process they learned early on that moving their bodies a little bit every day helped ease the physical pain they were experiencing from the shock and trauma of losing Austin. They also found solace and comfort in various creative outlets such as writing, cooking, painting and music. And finally they experienced a connection with Austin most profoundly through rest and meditation. In their small town, north of Nashville, there weren’t many options for grief support that didn’t feel tangled up in other agendas like religion, cultural rituals or politics, and it was especially difficult to find places that felt safe enough to grieve the loss of a child. So although Austin’s parents had eachother, and they often found activities to do together like kayaking, hiking and meditation, within their community they were often left feeling isolated and alone.
Both being healthcare providers, they naturally started looking at the evidence and science behind the modalities that seemed to bring them the most comfort and ease of their symptoms. What they found was that their experience was not unique and that in fact, Art, Rest and Movement, as modalities to support grief, was well documented throughout history. Once they reached a place in their own journey where they felt strong enough to begin sharing what they had learned, they began dreaming of the ARM Foundation and how they could use these simple avenues to provide safety, hope and healing to others.
That dream has come to fruition and the ARM Foundation is now alive. Born on the 14th of January, 2023. The day Austin made his final transition. We are grateful and honored you are here with us.
