The Barry F. Kowalski Fund for RLS Research
Tax deductible
My father, Barry Kowalski, passed away on June 30th, 2019. Barry was defined by his sense of humor, his ability to tell a great story, and his unique, unconventional outlook on the world. He dedicated his life to public service. After graduating from Brown University, he led an infantry combat platoon as a Marine Corps Lieutenant in Vietnam. He went on to become a career federal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division, where he earned the name “Pitbull of Justice.” As one of the countries premiere civil rights prosecutors, he tried landmark cases, most notably his convictions against two of the Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King. In his personal life Barry was an accomplished horseman and loved writing cowboy songs. Family and friends frequently called him a “cowboy lawyer.” However, his proudest legacy is those he leaves behind; his wife, three children, sister, and granddaughters.
Despite Barry's many accomplishments, much of his life was dominated by his severe case of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease. RLS is a disorder that occurs in the nervous system, causing the uncontrollable urge to move your legs and extremely uncomfortable sensations. RLS is classified as a sleep disorder as symptoms tend to occur when a person is resting. Movement is often the only thing that can mitigate symptoms, which leads to sleep deprivation. The causes of RLS are largely unknown, although research shows that there is a genetic component to the disease. Treating RLS is difficult. My father's case was very severe, and although he tried many treatment regimens, he was never able to find relief.
Growing up, I watched my dad’s daily battle with this disease and witnessed how much it impacts a person and their family. While he was in the trenches of Vietnam, he had RLS. As he tried cases that pushed forward the United States civil rights movement, he had RLS. During holidays, family dinners, my graduation ceremony, he had RLS. From the time he was a young boy he never had a good night sleep, and many nights he wouldn’t sleep at all. I saw my father, a great man who did great things, suffer from a disease that lacks research, funding, and awareness. Although his ultimate cause of death was complications from strokes, his time in the hospital and in at-home hospice care was characterized by tremendous discomfort from RLS.
Since his passing many people have reached out asking how they can help. Due to the devastating effects this disease had not only on his life, but our family’s life as well, I know he would want us to try and help others living with RLS. I’m setting up this GoFundMe to raise money for research efforts conducted by the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation. Any money that is donated will go towards Research Grant Programs which support basic and clinical RLS research. One of the current Research Grants is working to set up an Opioid Registry to ensure that RLS patients are receiving necessary medications, something my dad was very passionate about. Donations will go directly to the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation in Barry Kowalski’s name.
Any amount that you are willing to give is greatly appreciated. My father wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer, even one extra hour, from a bout of RLS.
-Bailey Kowalski
To learn more about the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation and RLS please visit: https://www.rls.org/
Links to Barry Kowalski obituaries:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/barry-kowalski-prosecutor-in-rodney-king-police-brutality-case-dies-at-74/2019/07/02/5abad894-9c4b-11e9-b27f-ed2942f73d70_story.html?utm_term=.f1243866c207
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/us/barry-kowalski-dead.html
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-barry-kowalski-rodney-king-prosecutor-dead-20190708-story.html
Despite Barry's many accomplishments, much of his life was dominated by his severe case of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease. RLS is a disorder that occurs in the nervous system, causing the uncontrollable urge to move your legs and extremely uncomfortable sensations. RLS is classified as a sleep disorder as symptoms tend to occur when a person is resting. Movement is often the only thing that can mitigate symptoms, which leads to sleep deprivation. The causes of RLS are largely unknown, although research shows that there is a genetic component to the disease. Treating RLS is difficult. My father's case was very severe, and although he tried many treatment regimens, he was never able to find relief.
Growing up, I watched my dad’s daily battle with this disease and witnessed how much it impacts a person and their family. While he was in the trenches of Vietnam, he had RLS. As he tried cases that pushed forward the United States civil rights movement, he had RLS. During holidays, family dinners, my graduation ceremony, he had RLS. From the time he was a young boy he never had a good night sleep, and many nights he wouldn’t sleep at all. I saw my father, a great man who did great things, suffer from a disease that lacks research, funding, and awareness. Although his ultimate cause of death was complications from strokes, his time in the hospital and in at-home hospice care was characterized by tremendous discomfort from RLS.
Since his passing many people have reached out asking how they can help. Due to the devastating effects this disease had not only on his life, but our family’s life as well, I know he would want us to try and help others living with RLS. I’m setting up this GoFundMe to raise money for research efforts conducted by the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation. Any money that is donated will go towards Research Grant Programs which support basic and clinical RLS research. One of the current Research Grants is working to set up an Opioid Registry to ensure that RLS patients are receiving necessary medications, something my dad was very passionate about. Donations will go directly to the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation in Barry Kowalski’s name.
Any amount that you are willing to give is greatly appreciated. My father wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer, even one extra hour, from a bout of RLS.
-Bailey Kowalski
To learn more about the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation and RLS please visit: https://www.rls.org/
Links to Barry Kowalski obituaries:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/barry-kowalski-prosecutor-in-rodney-king-police-brutality-case-dies-at-74/2019/07/02/5abad894-9c4b-11e9-b27f-ed2942f73d70_story.html?utm_term=.f1243866c207
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/us/barry-kowalski-dead.html
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-barry-kowalski-rodney-king-prosecutor-dead-20190708-story.html
Organizer
Bailey Kowalski
Organizer
Arlington, VA
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
Beneficiary