Between 1980 and 2018, the chance of having twins increased by 72%, but twins are still uncommon, occurring in about 33 out of every 1,000 births. Identical twins are even rarer, about 3 or 4 per 1,000 births.
Savannah Combs, 23, from Middleburg, Florida, was overjoyed to find out she was expecting twins. Shortly after, she learned an even rarer fact: both babies had Down syndrome. Identical twins with Down syndrome are estimated to occur in about one in two million births.
Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, faced this news with courage. Their twin daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, were born prematurely in May 2021 and spent several weeks in the NICU before coming home. Savannah shares their growth and milestones on TikTok, showing that despite their diagnosis, they are like any other children—full of emotions, learning to talk, and making progress every day.
Savannah was advised to consider abortion but chose to keep her babies, saying every prenatal appointment where the twins were alive was a blessing. She emphasizes that although they may develop a little slower, her daughters are “feisty and happy,” and will reach their goals with time and love.
Savannah has faced criticism online, with some people telling her she should have given the babies up for adoption. She responded with grace, saying, “Good thing they weren’t born to you, but to me. God knew what He was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them unconditionally.”
Their story is an inspiring example of love, resilience, and acceptance.
