Between 1980 and 2018, the likelihood of giving birth to twins increased by 72 percent, yet it remains relatively uncommon. Roughly 33 out of every 1,000 births result in twins.
And what about identical twins? Approximately every three or four births out of every 1,000 produce identical twins, underscoring their rarity as well.
When 23-year-old Savannah Combs discovered she was pregnant with twins, she was overjoyed. However, she soon learned of another rarity: both twins had Down syndrome.
This revelation brought forth a mix of emotions. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, anticipated judgment from others due to their babies’ condition. Yet, for Savannah, this uniqueness only enhanced their preciousness.
“It’s incredibly rare what they have, but to me, they’re like little gems,” she expressed.
Residing in Middleburg, Florida, Savannah shared her post-pregnancy journey with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok, swiftly amassing a following.
@savannahcombs1♬ original sound – Down With The Ackerman Twins
In one poignant video, Savannah recounted being advised to terminate her pregnancy due to the unlikelihood of the babies surviving. However, she chose to give them a chance at life, cherishing every prenatal milestone as a blessing.
When she learned of their Down syndrome diagnosis, her husband was away at boot camp. Despite this, Savannah remained resilient. At 29 weeks pregnant, she was admitted to the hospital and gave birth to her identical twin girls, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on May 12, 2021.
Born prematurely, the twins arrived two months before their due date, necessitating a stay in the NICU before they could go home.
Savannah explained their unique status as mono-di twins, meaning they had separate sacs but shared the same placenta, indicating they were identical.
“Mono-di twins are already rare,” she remarked. “Adding Down syndrome on top of that makes it one in 2 million.”
Despite their exceptional circumstances, Savannah emphasized that her daughters are just like any other children, with emotions, hearts that beat, and the ability to learn and grow.
“They may progress at their own pace,” she noted, “but they’ll get there. These kids are spirited and joyful.”
As Savannah documents their achievements on TikTok, she affirms her commitment to showing her daughters that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
However, despite the family’s positivity, Savannah has had to confront criticism from insensitive individuals on social media.
In response to hurtful comments, Savannah gracefully asserted on Facebook that her daughters were meant for her and her husband, chosen by a higher power who knew they would be loved unconditionally.
In the face of negativity, Savannah’s message remains clear: her daughters are beautiful and deserving of love and respect. Their story is one of resilience and unconditional love, deserving of being shared and celebrated.
