Eric Seidlitz went from feeling like a hale and hearty 30-year old to a frail, aching man of 99 almost overnight.

simple act of buttoning his shirt became difficult. Adjusting the settings on his camera was near impossible, and his long-time hobby, stained glass art, fell to the wayside.

“I went from 30 to 99 in no time. It was a quick change in how I moved around,” said Eric. “I had no idea the overall joint aches were rheumatoid arthritis.”

After seeing specialists and undergoing several tests, Eric was diagnosed in 2006. He was 42 years of age, married with two young boys — Adam, now a 15-year-old Highland Secondary School student, and Parker, 11, who attends Sir William Osler School.

Ironically, Eric is a medical researcher specializing in chronic pain. When he received the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis five years ago, he was determined not to sit by and do nothing.

“I can, and I will, live well with arthritis,” Eric said. “I will fight to conquer the disease with the hope of making it irrelevant to my life and that of my family.”

Through research and medical advancements, Eric has been on a new medication regime since March. After almost five years, he no longer walks with a cane. He was the photographer at his niece’s wedding in August, and he’s back at his workbench, cutting, sanding and foiling his stained glass art.

A few months ago, Eric also surprised wife Wendy — who suffers from a mild form of osteoarthritis — by agreeing to join the Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion Iceland trek. Scheduled to take place in July next year, a team of Canadians will travel 80 kilometres through the Landmannalaugar highlands of Iceland.

After learning of the adventure, Wendy was anxious to sign on as a way of giving back for her husband’s remarkable care. The 43-year-old neonatal nurse hesitantly broached the subject with her mate of 20 years.

“I thought Eric would say, ‘You’re out of your mind,’” said Wendy.

But surprisingly, Eric’s response was, “That’s great, when do we go?”

Wendy, Eric and other trekkers will travel through an area of Iceland famous for its spectacular natural beauty, vast lava fields, meadows of wool grass and steam springs. The trekkers will camp, hike and carry the provisions required for the group.

The couple is looking forward to both seeing the vastness of Iceland and meeting others impacted by arthritis. They do, however, both have a few fears.

“Physically, mentally and financially, it is not going to be a vacation,” said Eric. “…The 500-metre climbs through rivers and cold water will definitely be a bit foreign.”

Wendy admits to trepidation about climbing near Hekla, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, and, of course, the massive commitment of fundraising $8,000 apiece required to participate. So far, the couple has reached 10 per cent of their goal.

To help in the fundraising effort, two stained glass workshops are planned. On Oct. 21, and again on Nov. 25 from 7-10 p.m., Eric and Wendy will host the sessions at their Dundas home. The one-evening events are designed for beginners who want to learn more about stained glass but are reluctant to commit to several weeks of classes.

Participants will learn techniques, tools and tips for making stained glass projects. Eric, who will lead the sessions, said the hands-on workshops will allow beginners to finish a project by the end of the evening.
All materials, handouts and refreshments will be provided. The cost is $100 per person, with proceeds going to the Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion program.

For more information, email seidlitz@cogeco.ca. Space is limited to seven people, so pre-registration is required.