Twin pregnancies are still quite uncommon, with only about 33 of every 1,000 births resulting in twins. But what are the odds of having identical twins? On average, only three to four out of 1,000 births are identical twins. So, it’s safe to say that having twins is not very common. Now, imagine having twins with Down syndrome. It’s even rarer.
Savannah Combs, a 23-year-old from Middleburg, Florida, was overjoyed when she learned she was expecting twins. But then she discovered that both of her precious babies had Down syndrome. While this news may have been upsetting for some, Savannah and her husband Justin Ackerman saw it as something that made their babies even more beautiful.
“It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” Savannah mentioned. She embraced her children and refused to let any judgments affect her love and appreciation for them.
Savannah decided to share her postpartum journey on TikTok, documenting the milestones and joys of raising her twins, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman. The videos quickly gained popularity, as people were touched by Savannah’s love and dedication.
In one of her videos, Savannah revealed that she was advised to abort her children because they wouldn’t survive. However, she made the brave choice to give them a chance at life. Every prenatal appointment was a blessing for Savannah.
Interestingly, Savannah’s husband, Justin, was away at boot camp when they discovered that both twins had Down syndrome. Despite the challenges they faced, Savannah gave birth to Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman on May 12, 2021. However, the babies had to spend a few weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to their premature birth at 29 weeks.
“They’re called mono-di twins, meaning they had their own sacs but shared the same placenta, making them identical,” Savannah explained. “Mo-di twins themselves are very rare, and when you add Down syndrome on top of that, it’s like one in 2 million.”
But Savannah wants everyone to know that her girls are just like any other children, despite their rare condition. They have feelings, a beating heart, and the ability to learn and grow. It may take them a bit longer to reach certain milestones, but they will get there. Savannah has learned that her children are feisty and full of happiness.
She continues to share their incredible journey on TikTok, celebrating each milestone they achieve. Savannah’s goal is to show the world that her daughters are just like any other child and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Unfortunately, there are people who feel the need to be critical and judgmental towards Savannah and her family. She has had to face cruel comments on social media. But Savannah always responds with grace and strength. When one person wrote that they wouldn’t want babies like hers and would put them up for adoption, Savannah simply replied, “Good thing they weren’t born to you and were born to me. God knew what he was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them regardless.”
These gorgeous girls are a testament to love and resilience. Anyone who asserts the contrary is simply being cruel. Let’s spread the word about this touching story on social media and celebrate the most priceless and kind individuals there are.
