The birth of twins has become more common over the past decades—today about 33 in every 1,000 births result in twins—but identical pairs remain a rarity, accounting for only three to four sets per thousand. For 23‑year‑old Savannah Combs of Middleburg, Florida, the news that she was carrying identical twin girls was extraordinary enough. Then came the even more unexpected diagnosis: both of her babies had Down syndrome.
Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were stunned when prenatal testing confirmed the genetic condition. Doctors gently suggested that she consider terminating the pregnancy, citing the medical complexities that often accompany Down syndrome. But Savannah couldn’t imagine giving up on her daughters. “Every appointment where they were alive felt like a gift,” she later shared on TikTok. Determined to embrace whatever lay ahead, she vowed to carry the babies to term.
When Savannah was 29 weeks along, she was admitted to the hospital and, on May 12, 2021, delivered two little fighters: Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman. Born two months early, the girls spent several weeks in the NICU, growing stronger with each passing day. “They’re mono‑di twins,” Savannah explains—each baby had her own amniotic sac but shared a single placenta, a formation so rare it occurs only once in every 10,000 twin pregnancies. Adding Down syndrome to the equation makes their story all but one in two million.
From the moment she brought her daughters home, Savannah set out to champion their abilities. She posts regular updates on TikTok—first smiles, rolling over, babbling words—reminding viewers that Kennadi and Mckenli are simply children learning to navigate the world in their own time. “They have feelings. They have hearts that beat. They learn to talk and to walk, just like any other child,” she says. Her proudest goal is to show her girls that they are no different from their peers, even if their path to each milestone takes a little longer.
That message of love and acceptance hasn’t always been met with kindness. In the comment sections of her videos, Savannah has faced hurtful remarks—one user even wrote, “I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine came out like that, they’d be straight up for adoption.” Rather than respond with anger, Savannah replied with quiet strength: “I’m so glad they weren’t born to you, but to me. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave these babies to parents who would love them unconditionally.”
Through it all, Savannah’s transparency has resonated with thousands. Her candid reflections on the challenges—both medical and emotional—offer hope to other families facing prenatal diagnoses. Her optimism is contagious: she speaks not of limitations, but of potential. As her daughters grow, she celebrates each new achievement, from their first giggles to tentative first steps. “They may take a different road,” she says, “but they’re going to get there.”
Today, Kennadi and Mckenli fill Savannah and Justin’s home with laughter, curiosity and boundless energy. They toddle hand‑in‑hand across the living room floor, their matching smiles lighting up every corner. Savannah calls them her “little gems,” a name that perfectly captures their value in her life. Their story reminds us that every child—regardless of diagnosis—deserves love, respect and the chance to shine.
As Savannah continues to document her family’s journey, she urges everyone to look beyond labels and to celebrate the unique beauty in every child. Let’s share her inspiring story far and wide, so more people can see the power of unconditional love and the joy that comes from embracing differences.
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