While twin births have become more common—rising 72% from 1980 to 2018—they’re still far from everyday. Only about 33 in every 1,000 births result in twins. And identical twins? Even rarer, occurring in just 3 to 4 out of every 1,000 births.
So when 23-year-old Savannah Combs discovered she was expecting twins, she was overjoyed. But what came next made her story even more extraordinary: both babies were diagnosed with Down syndrome.
It was emotional news, and Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, knew that not everyone would respond with kindness. They expected criticism and judgment from some—but Savannah chose to see beauty instead of stigma.
“To some people, what they have might seem like a burden,” she told News4JAX. “But to me, they’re my little gems. What they have makes them incredibly special.”
Savannah Combs, a young mother from Middleburg, Florida, decided to share her remarkable journey on TikTok—documenting life with her identical twin daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman. It didn’t take long for her story to capture hearts around the world.
In one deeply personal video, Savannah revealed that doctors had advised her to terminate the pregnancy, warning that her babies might not survive. But she chose hope over fear.
“I was told to abort them,” she said. “But every prenatal appointment where they were still alive—that was a blessing to me. I wanted to give them a fighting chance.”
Savannah received the Down syndrome diagnosis while her husband, Justin, was away at boot camp. At just 29 weeks, she was admitted to the hospital and gave birth to her girls on May 12, 2021.
Tiny, fragile, and full of spirit, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli defied the odds from the very beginning.
The twins arrived two months ahead of schedule, entering the world as tiny fighters. Born prematurely, they spent several weeks in the NICU before they were strong enough to come home.
“They’re called mono-di twins,” Savannah explained. “That means they had their own amniotic sacs but shared the same placenta—so they were guaranteed to be identical.”
Even that, she noted, is rare. “Mo-di twins on their own are uncommon. But mo-di twins with Down syndrome? That’s like one in 2 million.”
Despite their unique medical profile, Savannah insists her daughters are just like any other children—full of life, love, and personality.
“They may have Down syndrome,” she said, “but that doesn’t define who they are. They laugh, cry, play, and thrive—just like any other kids.”
“They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to talk, how to learn, how to grow,” Savannah said with conviction. “They might take a little longer, but they’ll get there. I’ve learned these kids are feisty, determined, and full of joy.”
As Kennadi Rue and Mckenli continue to hit milestones in their own time, Savannah delights in sharing their progress through sweet, uplifting TikTok videos. Each post is a celebration of strength, love, and the beautiful uniqueness of her daughters.
“I’ll always remind them they’re just like everyone else,” Savannah said. “As long as they put their minds to it, they can achieve anything.”
But not everyone online is kind. Some strangers have left cruel, ignorant comments about her children. One particularly heartless user messaged Savannah: “I wouldn’t want those babies. If mine came out like that, they’d be straight up for adoption.”
Savannah didn’t lash out—instead, she responded with grace and strength.
“I said, ‘Good thing they weren’t born to you. They were born to me. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave these babies to parents who would love them unconditionally.’”
Her response struck a chord with thousands, serving as a reminder of what truly matters: love, acceptance, and the belief that every child is a gift.
Kennadi and Mckenli are undeniably beautiful—inside and out. And anyone who says otherwise? They’re just missing the bigger picture. These girls are not just special—they’re extraordinary.
Share this heartwarming story if you believe every child deserves love, dignity, and the chance to shine. 💛