Identical twins are a miracle on their own, occurring just three or four times in every 1,000 births. For first-time mother Savannah Combs, discovering she was carrying twins was a joyous surprise for her and her husband.
The pregnancy progressed smoothly, and the couple learned they were expecting girls. However, they were also informed that their identical twins both had Down syndrome. Initially shocked, Savannah, 23, quickly embraced the uniqueness of her daughters. She understood there would be challenges and that some people might not accept her babies, but she focused on the special bond she would share with them.
“It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” Savannah told News4JAX.
After the girls were born, Savannah and her husband Justin decided to document their journey on TikTok. Their daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli, garnered a significant following as Savannah shared milestones and moments from their lives.
In one TikTok video, Savannah revealed that doctors had advised her to terminate the pregnancy due to the slim chances of survival for her twins. Defying the odds, she chose to give them a fighting chance. ”Every [prenatal] appointment they were alive was a blessing to me,” Savannah explained.
@savannahcombs1♬ original sound – Down With The Ackerman Twins
Born five weeks prematurely, the twins spent some time in the NICU. Now, at nine months old, they are thriving and developing like any other babies.
“They’re called mono di twins, meaning that they had their own sacs, but they shared the same placenta, meaning that they were going to be identical,” Savannah explained. “Mo di twins as it is, it’s like very rare. And then you throw Down syndrome on top of it, it’s like one in 2 million.”
Savannah proudly showcases that having Down syndrome doesn’t negatively impact her daughters’ lives. “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,” she said. “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.”
Despite facing negative comments, Savannah remains steadfast in her love and advocacy for her daughters. “I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine came out like that, they would be straight up for adoption,” one person wrote under a video. Savannah responded gracefully, “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.”
Savannah is dedicated to raising awareness about Down syndrome and proving that individuals with the condition can lead happy and fulfilling lives, just like her two beautiful daughters.
For more on this family’s inspiring story, watch the video below.
