By MAMAMIA TEAM
Dana Vulin was a 25-year-old woman with everything to live for.
In her sister Svetlana’s words, Dana was a “loving, loyal, fun” person. She was “always really generous with her time, effort, money, everything.”
But in February 2012, Dana’s world changed forever.
Dana started receiving abusive phone calls from a woman named Natalia Dimitrovska. Natalia had recently separated from her husband and suspected Dana of sleeping with him – a claim Dana denies.
Dana says she did met Natalia Dimitrovska’s husband Edin at a New Year’s Eve party in 2011. But she says they only spoke for about half an hour and that “he didn’t hit on me, he wasn’t sleazy”.
But that didn’t stop Edin’s wife Natalia from wanting to get revenge.
On the 16th of February, after harassing her for almost a month, Natalia – the drug-affected mother-of-one – and a male friend forced their way into Dana’s apartment. Natalia approached Dana and demanded to know where her husband was. But Dana couldn’t answer.
After she asked Natalia leave her house, Natalia responded by grabbing a bottle of methylated spirits and threatening to set Dana on fire.
And it was then that Dana was transformed into “human fireball”.
“She twisted the lid off and doused me in methylated spirits,” Dana says. “I was engulfed in flames.”
For the first time since she suffered this vicious attack, Dana has spoken out and shared her side of the story, in a segment on Channel 7’s Sunday Night that aired last night.
“The the moment I was on fire, they laughed … They watched me burn, laughed and ran out of my apartment.”
“The pain was unbelievable.”
She tried throwing water over herself but she continued to burn. “Every drop felt like it was acid burning into my skin… Everything was hurting so much.”
After Natalia Dimitrovska and her accomplice had fled, Dana continued to burn and was rushed to hospital after a neighbour heard her screams.
Dana had suffered burns to 64 per cent of her body and was immediately placed in an induced coma.
After Dana awoke 10 days later, her family showed her images of her body, burned beyond recognition.
“I was shattered. My soul was broken. I could feel it pouring out, everything,” Dana says
She told Sunday Night, “I wasn’t going to be a miracle case” and that “the Dana on the outside was gone”.
Dana has since undergone repeated skin grafts, and has to wear a compression suit for 23 out of 24 hours every day. She has suffered extreme burns to her face, beck, chest and abdomen – and she is worried she may never be able to have children because of her attack.
In her victim impact statement for the courts, she said that: “It’s impossible to say how painful it is being set on fire. But the aftermath is a billion times worse.”
“The day I was set on fire not just my body was burned… my hopes, dreams and future ambitions all burned.”
“I loved the way I looked,” she told Sunday Night. “And I’m not ashamed of what happened to me because I can’t help it … but I’m embarrassed…. I’m not completely used to the way I look.”
“I know personality shines through. But that’s all well and good if you weren’t burned alive and didn’t lose your face.”
****
Natalia Dimitrovska was arrested at Perth Airport as she tried to catch a flight and flee the country just a few days after the crime.
She maintained that she was acting in self defence, but last week, Natalia was jailed for 17 years. The sentence is only three years less than the maximum sentence for the grievous bodily harm with intent.
In his sentencing, Judge Bruce Goetze said: “It is really difficult to imagine how one human being could leave while another human being is on fire.”
“It is totally unimaginable how you could not put out the flames, or try to do so, or at least call for help. Instead, you laughed and ran away.”
UPDATE: Last week, for the first time since the attack 30 months ago, Dana stepped out in public without her mask.
On Sunday, at the West Australian Ballet Centre, Dana walked down the catwalk. That incredible moment was shown on Channel 7’s Sunday Night.
“In my wildest dreams in the beginning – I didn’t for one second think I could look in the mirror and see the old Dana again.’
‘I will always love the person I am and that is what got me through this.’
And if you want to support Dana further, you can do so here.
Top Comments
Well for starters, ive had my own issues with substance abuse in the past....the fact that it took being set on fire for her to even think of how she was ruining peoples lives with methamphetamine is ridiculous and she should most definitely not be a role model. Is or was is not whats making the issue here. Yes she could have a very amazing personality, but the simple fact that she was willing to sell drugs to people that could potentially cause them insanity, loss of employment, lose their children, contract a deadly disease, become a good for nothing jay, or to over dose and die...for what? Her love of money that paid for the fake chest that she has, the fancy clothes she wears, and im sure the expensive car/house she drives/lives in. Which is the out most ridiculous thing i have ever heard of. If you are willing to absolutely ruin peoples lives because youre that vain...you need a serious reality check. Yes she has a great attitude towards it. Dont get me wrong on that...but for someone who has the type of burns she had, she looks like a dang movie star. I know a lot of people with less minor burna that what she has who look a lot worse than she does. You all are lifting up someone who truly doesnt need the praise that she is getting. Yes she may have a great personality butt hats as far as im willing to praise her. From the moment i heard her story i knew something was up...you cant bs a bs'er as the say in the addict community. I decided to look her up to find out what it was and lo and behold shes a meth dealer!! What.a.shock. This lady certainly does not deserve the attention she has gotten. Maybe she deserves respect. But not attention...unless the attention is on how many peoples lives im sure she has ruined...way to go ms dana. Im glad youre okay and you didnt completely lose your pretty face but now how bout you move on with life and maybe juuuust maybe try to help those whos lives your ruined...? Show some remorse for the things you have done. Dont forget what a nasty girl karma truly can be.
WOW! Exactly how far out of your head do you typically travel...fuwohl mabe you shoud check yourself when you do get back
Some of the comments on here and Sunday Nights page are just disgraceful. Why judge Dana harshly? It's the perpetrator Natalia Dimitrovska who should be attacked and vilified not the victim Dana.