Dana Vulin

At the age of 25, Dana Vulin's life changed forever after a violent and unprovoked attack at the hands of a disturbed woman. Vulin’s attacker had been stalking her for months, jealousy motivated by a completely delusional and false belief that Vulin was involved with her estranged husband. During the early hours of February 16th, 2012, the woman broke into Vulin’s apartment with a male accomplice, doused her with methylated spirits and set her on fire, causing horrendous third degree burns to 64 percent of her body and face. Within seconds, Vulin’s former life, her physical functioning, her independence, her goals, and dreams were ripped away. The destruction caused to Vulin’s body and face was unimaginable, the pain that she endured was indescribable. Upon admission to the hospital, Vulin was placed in a coma for 10 days, after which she woke to face the horror of what had been done to her.

Since 2012, Vulin has undergone countless agonizing functionality graphs and necessary reconstructive surgeries, as well as occupational therapy and daily physical therapy. The first few years after the attack were the most difficult period in her life, but despite the damage that the fire wreaked on her body and entire life, Vulin's fighting spirit and sheer determination to live were not and cannot be destroyed.

At the end of 2013, Vulin encountered yet another major hurdle with a routine pap smear revealing cervical cancer. While this diagnosis would be daunting for most, for Vulin at just 27 it signaled that there would be even more surgeries to brave and mental hurdles to breakthrough. Vulin has fought blood, tears, and unimaginable pain to be where she is today – ALIVE.

Vulin 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.

Vulin 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 recognizable figure of survival worldwide and has used this profile as a platform to speak out and reach those in need of encouragement and inspiration.

Vulin 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. She has found great success as not only a motivational and corporate keynote speaker but an author. Her book, "Worth Fighting For," was published in 2017, to rave reviews. In 2018, she was named The Most Inspiring Woman of The Year, at the WA Soulful awards, for the way she has rebounded against tremendous odds and is now helping bring out the best in others.

Vulin completed her 3rd degree, a Master’s of Science, specializing in Nursing, in January 2021, and is now authorized to practice by the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA). She now plans to use her degree to specialize in cosmetics and disfigurements. Vulin wants to help burns survivors, breast cancer survivors, and people looking for scar camouflage in any way shape or form, by providing a space that they will feel safe in visiting but assured through her experience and education.

In August 2021 Vulin opened up her clinic I am D aesthetics. I am D aesthetics stands for I am Deserving Aesthetics! The company was founded on Vulin’s desire (and her right) to still want feel and be the best version of herself, and to help her clients do the same.