Twin pregnancies are a rare occurrence, and the likelihood of having identical twins is even slimmer. But for 23-year-old Savannah Combs, the surprise of expecting twins was only the beginning of an extraordinary journey. When she discovered that both twins had Down syndrome, Savannah knew that her family would face unique challenges, but she was determined to show the world the beauty and preciousness of her children.
Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were aware that some people would judge them and their children. But Savannah refused to let negativity bring her down. Instead, she chose to focus on the rare gift that her twins, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, brought to her life.
The twins were born on May 12, 2021, at just 29 weeks, and spent several weeks in the NICU before coming home. Savannah documented her postpartum journey on TikTok, sharing videos of her twins’ milestones and progress. The videos quickly gained popularity, and Savannah’s message of love and acceptance resonated with many.
Despite facing criticism and negativity from some, Savannah remained steadfast in her commitment to her children. When one person wrote to her, saying that they would have given up their children for adoption if they had been born with Down syndrome, Savannah responded with a powerful message.
“Good thing they weren’t born to you and were born to me,” she wrote. “God knew what he was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them regardless.”
Savannah’s love and devotion to her twins are a testament to the transformative power of parenthood. Despite the challenges that come with raising children with Down syndrome, Savannah knows that her twins are precious and worthy of love and respect.
As Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman continue to grow and thrive, Savannah remains committed to sharing their story with the world. Through her TikTok updates and advocacy, she hopes to show that children with Down syndrome are not defined by their condition, but by their unique personalities, strengths, and abilities.
