If you are powered by strength, determination and hard work all things are possible.
At the age of 25, Dana Vulin faced a turn of events that would change her life forever, a violent and unprovoked attack at the hands of a disturbed woman. Dana’s attacker had been stalking her for months, jealousy motivated by a completely delusional and false belief that Dana was involved with her estranged husband.
During the early hours of February 16th 2012, this woman broke into Dana’s apartment with a male accomplice, doused Dana with methylated spirits and set her on fire whilst laughing and watching her burn alive, causing horrendous third-degree burns to 64% of her body and face.
Within seconds, Dana’s former life, her physical functioning, her independence, her goals and dreams were ripped away. The destruction caused to Dana’s body and face was unimaginable, the pain that she endured was indescribable. Upon admission to hospital, Dana was placed in a coma for 10 days, after which she woke to face the horror of what had been done to her.
In 2013, the District Court found Dana’s attacker guilty of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced her attacker to 17 years in prison (15 years without parole). This sentence pales in comparison to the lifelong scarring and rehabilitation that Dana has been left with. Since 2012, she has undergone countless agonising functionality graphs and necessary reconstructive surgeries, as well as occupational Therapy and daily physical therapy.
The first few years after the attack was the most difficult period in Dana’s life. Despite the damage that the fire wreaked on Dana’s body and entire life, her fighting spirit and sheer determination to live were not and cannot be destroyed.
At the end of 2013, Dana encountered yet another major hurdle with a routine pap smear revealing cervical cancer. While this diagnosis would be daunting for most, for Dana at just 27 it signalled that there would be even more surgeries to brave and mental hurdles to breakthrough. Dana has fought blood tears and unimaginable pain to be where she is today - ALIVE.
Current Work:
Dana is enthusiastic about continuing with the medical and cosmetic treatments that will allow her to build on the outcomes that she and her doctors have already achieved to date. She hopes her journey will inspire other burn survivors and all who face adversity. Her uplifting achievements have been set against a backdrop of painful and prolonged medical procedures, proving that you CAN overcome the odds.
Dana made international headlines around the world when she publicly removed her compression mask for the first time on Channel 7’s Sunday Night program revealing her face, which had been covered for two years and eight months. From this moment, she became a recognisable figure of survival worldwide and has used this profile as a platform to speak out and reach those in need of encouragement and inspiration.
Dana has discovered a new zest for life and wants to inspire others with her own miraculous story of survival. She is living proof that beauty does come from within and she hopes her message motivates those facing adversity including; those who are victims of injury, violence and disfigurement, those battling cancer and those battling their own demons.
Previous Experience:
Dana Vulin was born into a tight-knit family, with two older sisters and a twin brother.
She and her family lived in the small community of Koolan Island off the coast of Western Australia during her early childhood, before relocating to Perth when Dana was 6 years old. Dana was a cheeky, confident kid and built a rich network of friends throughout her time at school. On completing high school, Dana enrolled in a Bachelor of Communications at Edith Cowan University, where she graduated with majors in Advertising and Business, Management.
Thank you again Dana for a wonderful presentation. Everyone I have spoken to since this morning was in awe of your spirit and the love in your heart. Our parents, staff and students found yo ... keep reading St Joseph’s College Mildura
Thank you so very much for your inspiring presentation last week. It was a talking point over the coming days and the women were in awe of what you had been through and your positive ‘can-do’ attitude! All in all, you finished our day one on a high, you can not hear a pin drop. Everyone was wondering what topic you would be speaking on, some thought it might have been around how to look so freakin awesome! So well done to you… They truly loved their discussing with you and the openness in which you answered questions.
... What l did find memorable again for this year's event was the inclusion of Ms Dana Vulin as Master of Ceremonies. The adversity that Dana has overcome since 2012 in incomprehensible, yet this young woman's fighting spirit, never give up attitude, and tenacity to face the horror of what she has experienced, and use this as a platform to reach out to others in need of encouragement and support in times of great distress, is to be commended. ...
What an honour and absolute pleasure it was to have Dana Vulin attend the National Final of Australia Galaxy Pageants 2017. Not only did Dana add an air of glitz and glamour to the 4 day long event, but she shared her inspiring story and wise words of encouragement with all 60 contestants. As well as the full ball room for the final pageant show. Earning the only standing ovation. Dana’s courage and zest for life, her perseverance and her kind heart shone throughout the event and her words touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure of listening. Thank you Dana - thank you for being you, and for being such an inspiration to both young and old.
