I try to appreciate every day of my life since I know that everything can be taken away in a heartbeat. 28-year-old Dana Vulin from Perth, Australia, had her whole life completely turned around when she encountered things no human being deserves. She was attacked by a jealous woman – an assault that resulted in third degree burns on 64 percent of her body. The woman who attacked Dana was jealous because Dana was talking to a man at a New Year’s Eve party. She explained that she wanted to destroy Danas “pretty little face” before she set her on fire. But this awful story also brings something good with it and that’s something we should talk about. Dana refused to fall into despair because of setbacks and fear. She went through several surgeries and a tough rehabilitation process, all with her head held high. After plenty of skin transplants, she finally could take off her mask and show her new face. She chose to do it on a public TV-show, drawing public attention to her way back into a normal life. In an interview with Australian Channel Seven Sunday Night she explained: “I hope they see the scars. This is a part of me now.” I think that her way of handling this is unbelievable. But it’s her inner beauty and determination I respect most of all. What a strong woman. Please note that pictures below may be difficult to see.
The woman who attacked Dana was jealous after she found out that Dana talked to her husband at a New Year’s Eve party. Here’s Dana before the assault.
The jealous woman was seeking revenge for the “incident” and harassed Dana with threatening phone calls. “I’m gonna destroy your beautiful little face”, she told Dana.
The woman, Natalie Dimitrovska, broke into Dana’s apartment under the influence of drugs. She threw a form of ethanol at Dana and lighted her on fire. Dana could hear her laughter when she ran out of the apartment.
Dana suffered from a third degree burn on 64 percent of her body. She was so badly burnt that her mother didn’t recognize her after the assault..
Dana admitted that before the assault her life mostly circled around her looks. That was her main focus in life. But during the rehabilitation process, she realized that there other things are of value in life.
During the time her body healed, she had to wear a mask. “I felt like nobody, like nothing”. She also wore the mask in court. The woman who assaulted Dana was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
When Dana struggled to recover from the horrible attack, she was handed painful news. Her doctor informed her that she suffered from cervical cancer. But Dana refused to surrender. She underwent surgery to remove the cancer and they later announced that it was successful.
But the mask continued to persecute her. “It made me feel like a faceless person. That’s the best way to describe it.”
After two years of daily struggles, Dana had her first interview on national television. Her fate and strength touched the heart of viewers.
”It would have been easier to surrender and die, but I’ve never taken easy paths… if anyone would ask me how I feel about my body today? Then I would answer that I’m extremely proud.”
She thought that her story would inspire others to find joy and hope during hard times. That’s why she decided to reveal her new look in the show.
When she removed the mask and showed her new face to the world, she asked viewers not to focus on her look.
”I hope that they see a woman with strength, power, self-confidence, self-respect, courage, and determination.” I can only nod my head: What a fighter!
She says that the attack helped her to find her true person. “I’m a strong person and something I’ve really learned from this is that I’ll never change. I know the true me.”
Dana is living proof that it’s possible to heal both on the inside and outside! It’s so strong of her to talk about this in public.
Pictures: YouTube/Channel Seven’s Sunday Night
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