In 2012, the unthinkable happened to Dana Vulin: After a woman had come to believe that Vulin was sleeping with her husband, the woman along with a male friend broke into her home while she was sleeping, and set her on fire. Vulin, based in Perth, Australia, was just 25 years old at the time.
“I was stalked for six weeks, she doused me with methylated spirits, and then watched me as I burned and laughed,” Vulin told LittleThings. “She would have left for me dead. It’s still hard to talk about.”
Upon arriving at a hospital, Vulin was placed in an induced coma, and didn’t regain consciousness for 10 days.
While she survived, she was left with third-degree burns covering 64 percent of her body, and was unrecognizable, even to family and friends. In the months that followed, she underwent countless reconstructive surgeries, as well as occupational therapy and daily physical therapy. She also had to wear a compression mask for 30 months, which covered her face entirely.
It was while she was still wearing the compression mask that Vulin faced her attacker in court (the woman was ultimately sentenced to 17 years for causing grievous bodily harm).
And in 2013, Vulin faced another unthinkable battle when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. “If you ever think that things can’t worse, know that they can,” Vulin said, expressing how she felt at that time.
“There’s not been a day since my burn that anything has been the same. It has changed my life in every single way.”
In 2014, Vulin removed her mask in public for the first time on Australian television Channel 7's Sunday Night. During the reveal, she shared with viewers: "My smile is a bit wonky, so I'm a bit self-conscious smiling, but I've worked so hard at getting my mouth and lips back that I'll be wearing lipstick every day."
Four years later, Vulin is still coping, and taking things one day at a time. “I just received another skin graft operation. I’m usually in the hospital twice a week, but that hasn’t stopped for pursuing big things.”
For Vulin, moving past the life-changing violent act she experienced just over four years ago has meant learning to embrace this new version of herself.
“I really am a modern-day Frankenstein, and now I am as unique on the inside as I am on the outside. I was desperate before to look a certain way, and now I can truly say my spirit is better. I am a better version of myself even with all the scars.
“I’ve learned to appreciate my strengths and I’ve had to believe in miracles. And that humongous miracle for me has been the support of my family and friends. I couldn’t even brush my own teeth for over a year. I couldn’t have survived this without them.”
Since Vulin has shared her story, she has received an outpouring of support from around the world, she says. “It’s amazing how many people have been able to relate to my story," she shared. "From people who have suffered from cancer to burn victims to victims of violence.”
Vulin’s life today looks very different than it did four years ago, when Vulin was a recent college graduate with a major in advertising. “My life has transformed, I now spend my days volunteering and giving back. Mentoring and public speaking are a big part of my life now. And I’m having fun, too — I just hosted Kalgoorlie Fashion Week!”
Just a few of the organizations that Vulin dedicates her time to now: the Fiona Wood Foundation, the Survivor Foundation, and she’s an official ambassador for Lifeline. She's also appeared in the "Kiss Violence Against Women Goodbye" campaign, pushing for tougher penalties for abusers.
Beyond being an advocate for burn victims and suicide prevention, Vulin has a memoir in the works, detailing her ordeal, set for release in 2017.
And while no one should have to go through what Vulin did, she hopes that women are ultimately left with a message of hope from her story. “You don’t know how strong you are until something like this happens,” she said. “And if I can offer one piece of advice, it is to love who you are, and love the skin your in. We are all unique and that’s what makes us beautiful.”
To learn more about Vulin's journey, visit her Facebook and Instagram page.
