Welcoming twins into the world is always a special occasion. While the chances of having twins have increased by 72% from 1980 to 2018, it remains a unique experience, with approximately 33 out of every 1,000 births resulting in twins. An even rarer occurrence is having identical twins, with only about 3 or 4 sets per 1,000 births.
Savannah Combs, a 23-year-old mother, was overjoyed upon discovering she was expecting twins. Her happiness was tempered by the surprising news that both her daughters had Down syndrome, a rare condition indeed.
Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were prepared to face challenges and judgments from others, knowing that their daughters’ condition might attract unwarranted attention and criticism. Still, for Savannah, this only made her daughters more precious and unique.
In an interview with News4JAX, she shared: “It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems.”
Savannah, from Middleburg, Florida, began documenting her journey with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok. Her story quickly resonated with viewers, gaining a substantial following.
In one video, Savannah shared the discouraging advice she received to terminate her pregnancy, a suggestion she bravely rejected. Instead, she chose to cherish every moment during her pregnancy, viewing each prenatal heartbeat as a miracle.
Her husband was away at boot camp when Savannah learned about the twins’ condition, and at 29 weeks pregnant, she was admitted to the hospital. On May 12, 2021, she delivered her beautiful daughters, Kennadi and Mckenli.
The twins arrived two months earlier than expected, which meant they needed to spend some time in the NICU before they could finally go home.
Savannah described her twins as “mono di twins,” meaning each had their own sac but shared a placenta, indicating they were identical. She noted, “Mo di twins as it is, it’s very rare, and then you throw Down syndrome on top of it, it’s like one in 2 million.”
Despite their rare condition, Savannah emphatically stated that her daughters are like any other children.
She lovingly explained, “They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to talk. They know how to do things you do. They will get there. It may be a step behind but they’re going to do it. I’ve learned these kids are feisty little things and happy little things.”
As the twins reach their developmental milestones, Savannah shares their uplifting progress on TikTok, demonstrating their tenacity and joy.
She is determined to instill a sense of confidence in her girls, saying, “I’m going to let them know that they’re just like us and they’re going to get there as long as they put their minds to it.”
Nevertheless, Savannah sometimes encounters criticism from those who lack understanding. One particularly hurtful comment came from someone who insinuated that if they had children like hers, they would give them up for adoption.
Savannah’s response to these insensitive remarks was both eloquent and heartfelt, shared on Facebook: “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.”
The love Savannah has for her daughters shines brightly, and anyone fortunate enough to witness their journey can see the beauty and strength in this family. Kenndai and Mckenli, just like any other children, bring joy and warmth to those around them, proving that the love of a family knows no bounds.
Beautiful girls. Anyone who says otherwise is just plain mean. These individuals are the most precious and loving people out there!