Did you know that the chances of giving birth to twins have increased by 72 percent since 1980? It’s still a rare occurrence, with only about 33 out of every 1,000 births resulting in twins. And when it comes to identical twins, the chances are even lower, with approximately three or four births out of every 1,000 being identical twins. So, it’s safe to say that having twins is quite special.
When 23-year-old Savannah Combs found out she was pregnant with twins, she was overjoyed. But little did she know that her babies would be even more unique. Both of her daughters had Down syndrome, a condition that could have led some people to judge them. However, to Savannah, her twins are incredibly precious just the way they are.
Savannah, who hails from Middleburg, Florida, decided to share her post-pregnancy journey with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok. The trio quickly gained a following as Savannah documented their life together. In one video, Savannah revealed that she was advised to abort her babies because they wouldn’t survive. However, she chose to give them a fighting chance.
Every prenatal visit where her babies were still alive felt like a blessing to Savannah. And when she learned that both of her daughters had Down syndrome, her husband was away at boot camp. She was admitted to the hospital at 29 weeks and delivered Kennadi Rue and Mckenli on May 12, 2021. Given their premature birth, the twins had to spend a few weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before coming home.
Savannah explained that her girls are “mono di twins,” meaning they had their own sacs but shared the same placenta, making them identical. This combination, in addition to having Down syndrome, makes them incredibly unique. In fact, the chances of having twins with both these characteristics are estimated to be one in 2 million.
But despite this rarity, Savannah wants everyone to know that her daughters are just like any other children. They have feelings, beating hearts, and the ability to talk and do things. They may be a step behind in some areas, but Savannah is confident that they will achieve their own milestones. She describes her girls as “feisty little things and happy little things.”
Savannah proudly shares their adorable updates on TikTok as her daughters continue to grow and develop. Unfortunately, she has also had to face criticism and insensitivity from some people on social media. However, Savannah has the perfect response for them. She confidently stated, “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 beautiful girls are a true testament to the love and joy that can be found in embracing differences. They deserve to be celebrated and cherished, just like any other child. So, let’s share this heartwarming story on Facebook and spread the message of acceptance and love for all.
