Hi to you reading along (and hi to you just here for the pictures).

I am a (mostly) happy Danish man, formerly known as Jens. I have lived a life like many others - with schools, education, hobbies, friends, parties, family, and work. A life with ups and downs.

Unfortunately, also some very big downs. On December 26th, 2013 - and again on New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2014 - I was hit by strokes (blood clots) in the right side of my brain. That is why I have been on early retirement since 2017.

When the brain fails.

Because of my brain damage, I can sometimes act a bit awkward or say things that don't make sense. It is not personal, but simply my brain short-circuiting a bit. I mean nothing bad by it.

When my brain is tired, it cannot always find the right words. Instead, it just grabs the first words it finds, even if they sound angry, stupid, or make no sense at all.

I also get tired very fast if there is too much noise or too many things happening at once. After many tests, doctors confirmed that I cannot work much, and it is hard to find a workplace that can handle my needs.

From Jens to Paw - goodbye to the old me.

I have learned that if I see my life as a fight to become who I was - I lose. It will just take all my energy and happiness. Instead, I try to accept my new life and make the best of it. It is not about giving up, but about using my energy wisely.

But it started with the total collapse of the world I knew. When the strokes hit, I actually died twice and was resuscitated. When I woke up, I had lost myself and the life I had known for 44 years. I waited a long time for "Jens" and my old world to return, but I had lost both.

Through rehab, I was surrounded by a large team - neurologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, and nurses. Slowly (very slowly) I realized I couldn't be the person I was before.

I was over 80% paralyzed on my left side. It affected my arm, my hand and my fingers, making it impossible to hold or use my camera gear. It got worse after the second stroke in 2014, which hit my leg and foot. I cannot feel the ground when I walk. My body instinctively tries to stop me because it is "afraid" of what it cannot feel. So, I have to use a lot of mental energy to think about every single step. This limits how far I can walk and makes me tired much faster than before.

I realized I had to find a different strategy than giving up, sitting in a chair, and just starting to cry and feel sorry for myself. I know that's the easiest solution, which I have seen many choose to do - both younger people and people my age.

When I realized that the life of Jens was dead and gone, I decided that my "new self" needed to be someone else. I thought about it for a long time until a friend suggested a numerologist. I tell you - I was skeptical and didn't really believe in that kind of thing, but I went anyway. The names Pau, Pav, Paul, and Paw came up. The choice was easy. I love animals and nature, so what could be more fitting than the name Paw?

In 2015, I officially changed my name. Jens was the past. I had to go on as Paw and get to know my new body and brain.
Since my dearest and friends call me by my last name, Noer, this site is named ByNoer.

Getting back to photography.

Before my injury, I took photos of everything. Motorsports - Animals - Models - Street-arts - Everyday life...
I had great ideas and great gear, but I sold it all because I got sad and frustrated that I could not remember how to do it or how to use it.

Now I am on my way back.
I have decided to start all over again, so the year 2026 is where my new journey start.
Through a good friend, I have gained access to camera equipment again.
Starting from zero, so I read photomagazines, watch YouTube, and find my inspiration again - picture by picture.

Want to join the journey?

If you want to follow my development - honestly and without "cherry-picking" - feel free to sign up for my mailing list.
Here you get the real deal.
This means you will also see the bad days, not just the beautiful and polished moments. It is a genuine and authentic look into a life for better or worse, shared exclusively with my followers.
And don't worry: I won't bombard your inbox.
Expect 1-2 emails a month at most.

It is, of course, completely free.

Support.

You can also, IF you wish, contribute with a small donation by “buying me a coffee.”
Any support goes directly into keeping this journey alive – learning, experimenting, failing, and trying again.

Or take a look at my SHOP to see if anything tempts you. I offer mugs, t-shirts, posters, and tote bags featuring my own quotes, designs, or photos.
- Keep an eye out - there is a new design every month.

No matter what, thank you so much for reading my story - told from my 'Point Of View' - ByNoer.