A young man with arthritis is taking it in stride and is our CTV Calgary Inspiring Albertan this week.

We tend to think of arthritis as something that affects the elderly but it can also afflict children at a very early age.

Noah Carlson, 11, suffers from juvenile arthritis and refuses to let it slow him down.

His mother Nicole Jones is inspired by the determination of her young son.

“I often look at him amazed that he can go through a day and not complain, not say oh I can't do this. He never hesitates to do anything,” said Jones.

Noah is taking golf lessons and starts with some stretching to make it a little easier.

Mark Sheardown is Noah’s instructor and says he was not even aware of his arthritis when he first showed up on the tee box for a lesson.

“That's one thing that shows his character, is he's out there just like every other kid in the program and to hear that he actually does have this, that he's dealing with every day, it's quite amazing that A he has it and  B he's able to work through it,” said Sheardown.

When he was just six-year-old, Noah got his family involved in the annual fundraising walk for arthritis and they've been walking ever since. 

Last year was his most successful fundraising effort to date bringing in $2750 for the society.

He has been walking in the event for six years now and has raised about $10,000 in total.

His mother says she asks him every year whether he wants to do the walk.

“Every year he gives me the same answer. If we don't do the walk how do we raise money and if we don't raise money how do we find a cure? And then he says that if we don't do the walk it's like we're not fighting and he's not gonna give up fighting,” said Jones.

Cindy Stephen is the communications manager for The Arthritis Society and says she admires Noah's perseverance.

“People get burnt out, people get tired of doing the same thing but he's not. He wants to do it, he's enthusiastic year after year. Drags along his family and doesn't hesitate to ask people for money,” said Stephen.

For refusing to let his arthritis get him down and for the fundraising he does to find a cure, Noah Carlson is our Inspiring Albertan this week.

(With files from Darrel Janz)