Mom of Rare Identical Twins with Down Syndrome Shuts Down Critics with Love and Strength
Twin births are already a rarity, happening in just 33 out of every 1,000 deliveries. Identical twins? Even more exceptional—just 3 to 4 sets per 1,000 births. But what happened to one young mother from Florida was even more extraordinary.
At just 23 years old, Savannah Combs discovered she was expecting not just twins, but identical twins. As the excitement settled in, she learned something else—both of her unborn daughters had Down syndrome, a combination so rare it’s estimated at 1 in 2 million.
“They’ve Been My Little Gems”
Understandably, the news came as a shock. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, knew their daughters might be judged harshly by others. But rather than feel defeated, Savannah embraced what made her babies unique.
“It’s very rare what they have,” she said, “but they’ve been my little gems.”
The young mom began sharing her journey on TikTok, documenting the highs and lows of life with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman. Her videos quickly went viral, touching hearts around the world.
Told to Abort—But She Chose to Fight
During her pregnancy, Savannah was told the twins might not survive and was advised to consider abortion. But for her, every heartbeat and every ultrasound was a sign of hope.
“Every appointment they were alive was a blessing to me,” she shared.
Her husband was away at boot camp when she learned both babies had Down syndrome. At 29 weeks, Savannah gave birth to her daughters on May 12, 2021. Born premature, the girls spent several weeks in the NICU before they could finally go home.
A Rare Type of Twin Bond
Savannah explained that the girls were mono-di twins, meaning they each had their own amniotic sac but shared the same placenta—making them genetically identical.
“That alone is rare. Then you add Down syndrome—it’s like one in 2 million,” she said.
But rarity doesn’t mean they’re any less full of life.
“They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to talk. They know how to do things you do,” Savannah said. “It may take them a little longer, but they’re going to do it.”
Raising Awareness—and Resilience
Through her TikTok account, Savannah regularly shares updates on her daughters’ growth and milestones. Each video is a testament to her unconditional love and belief in her girls.
“I’m going to let them know they’re just like everyone else,” she said. “They can do anything, as long as they put their minds to it.”
When Haters Strike, Love Answers Back
Unfortunately, not everyone was supportive. Some strangers online sent hateful messages, including one person who cruelly said, “If mine came out like that, they’d be straight up for adoption.”
Savannah’s response was graceful and fierce:
“Good thing they weren’t born to you,” she replied. “They were born to me. God knew what He was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them regardless.”
A Story That Inspires Millions
Despite the challenges, Savannah is raising her daughters with love, strength, and joy—and showing the world that beauty can be found in what makes us different.
Her story is more than just about parenting—it’s about choosing love over fear, acceptance over judgment, and strength in the face of cruelty.
Share this story to help celebrate Savannah’s incredible strength and the bright future ahead for her two precious daughters.