With a Photo That Showcased Their Beauty, the Mother of Rare Twins With Down Syndrome Silenced the Critics.

While the rate of twin births has risen over the past few decades—roughly 33 out of every 1,000 births—identical twins are still rare, occurring only three to four times per thousand. So when Savannah Combs, a 23-year-old from Middleburg, Florida, learned she was expecting identical twin girls, it was already a special moment. But what made it even more remarkable was the discovery that both babies had Down syndrome.

When prenatal testing revealed the genetic condition, Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were stunned. Due to the potential medical challenges often associated with Down syndrome, doctors gently suggested she consider terminating the pregnancy. But Savannah couldn’t imagine letting go of her daughters. She later posted on TikTok:
“Every appointment where they were alive felt like a gift.”
She made the decision to carry the pregnancy to term and face whatever the future would hold.

On May 12, 2021, after being hospitalized at 29 weeks, Savannah gave birth to two tiny warriors: Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman. Born two months early, they spent several weeks in the NICU growing stronger every day. Savannah explained that they are “mono-di” twins, meaning each had their own amniotic sac but shared a single placenta—a rare condition that occurs in only 1 out of 10,000 twin pregnancies. With the added diagnosis of Down syndrome, their story is estimated to be one in two million.

As soon as Savannah brought her daughters home, she became a passionate advocate for them. She regularly shares updates on TikTok, showing their milestones—first smiles, rolling over, babbling—reminding the world that Kennadi and Mckenli are just children discovering the world at their own pace.
“They have feelings. Their hearts beat. Just like any other child, they learn to walk and talk,” she explains. Though their milestones may come a bit later, Savannah’s greatest hope is to show her daughters that they are just as capable as anyone else.

But not everyone has welcomed her message of love and inclusion. On one video, a commenter wrote:
“I wouldn’t want those babies. If mine came out like that, they’d be put up for adoption.”
Instead of reacting with anger, Savannah calmly responded:
“I’m so glad they weren’t born to you, but to me.”
And she added:
“When God placed these babies with parents who would love them unconditionally, He knew exactly what He was doing.”

Through it all, Savannah’s honesty and resilience have resonated with thousands. Her willingness to share both the joys and challenges of raising children with Down syndrome offers hope to other families facing similar prenatal diagnoses. She speaks about possibilities, not limitations—and her positivity is contagious. Every giggle, every wobbly step is a celebration.
“They may take a different path, but they’ll get there,” she says with confidence.

Today, Mckenli and Kennadi fill Savannah and Justin’s home with energy, curiosity, and laughter. They walk hand in hand across the living room, their matching smiles lighting up the space. Savannah calls them her “little gems,” a name that perfectly captures their place in her heart. Their story is a powerful reminder that all children deserve love, dignity, and the chance to shine—no matter their condition.

As Savannah continues sharing her family’s journey, she urges the world to look beyond labels and embrace the beauty in every child.
Let’s spread this inspiring story, so more people can see the joy in embracing differences—and the strength of unconditional love. ❤️