Mom of twins with Down syndrome shuts down critics

Between 1980 and 2018, the likelihood of having twins rose by 72%, yet it remains relatively uncommon. Roughly 33 out of every 1,000 births involve twins.

And what about identical twins? They’re even rarer, occurring in only three or four out of every 1,000 births.

When Savannah Combs, a 23-year-old, discovered she was expecting twins, she was overjoyed. Shortly afterward, she received even more unexpected news—both babies had Down syndrome.

Understandably, the revelation was emotional. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, recognized that some people might pass judgment on their family due to the twins’ condition.

Born two months early, the twins spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before finally coming home.

"They’re known as Mono Di twins, which means they each had their own amniotic sacs but shared the same placenta, making them identical," Savannah explained.

"Mono Di twins are already quite rare, and when you add Down syndrome to the mix, it’s like one in two million," she said.

Despite their unique situation, Savannah is adamant that her daughters are just like any other children.

"They feel emotions, they have hearts that beat, and they’re learning to communicate and do the things everyone else does," she said. "Sure, it might take them a little longer, but they’ll achieve their goals. I’ve realized these kids are both incredibly determined and wonderfully joyful."

As her daughters reach their developmental milestones, Savannah shares their heartwarming progress with her followers on TikTok.

"I’ll make sure they know they’re no different from anyone else and that they can accomplish anything as long as they set their minds to it," she said.

For Savannah, their uniqueness only makes them more precious.

"What they have is extremely rare, but they’re my little treasures," she shared with News4JAX.

Hailing from Middleburg, Florida, Savannah has documented her postpartum journey with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok, where they’ve quickly garnered a large following.

In one video, Savannah revealed that doctors had advised her to terminate the pregnancy, saying the babies might not survive.

However, Savannah chose to continue her pregnancy and give her daughters a fighting chance. "Every prenatal appointment where they were still alive felt like a blessing," she explained.

Her husband was away at boot camp when Savannah found out both twins had Down syndrome. At 29 weeks pregnant, she was admitted to the hospital and delivered her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on May 12, 2021.

"They feel emotions, they have hearts that beat, and they’re learning to communicate and do the things everyone else does," Savannah emphasized. "Yes, it might take them a little longer, but they’ll get there. These kids are strong-willed and full of joy."

As her daughters continue to grow and thrive, Savannah regularly posts updates on TikTok, celebrating every achievement.

"I’ll make sure they understand they’re no different and that they can achieve anything they want, as long as they’re determined," she said.

Unfortunately, some individuals online have criticized Savannah and her family. She’s had to deal with hurtful comments from strangers.

One person wrote, "I wouldn’t want babies like that; if mine were born that way, I’d give them up for adoption immediately."

Savannah responded with the perfect comeback, which she shared on Facebook:

"I told them, ‘Good thing they weren’t born to you—they were meant to be with me. God knew exactly what He was doing by giving these babies to parents who would love them unconditionally.’"

These beautiful girls are extraordinary. Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply unkind. People with Down syndrome are some of the most loving and special individuals you’ll ever meet. Please share this uplifting story!