Florida Mom Welcomes Identical Twins With Down Syndrome — A Rare Miracle
The likelihood of having twins has risen dramatically over the past few decades, increasing by 72 percent between 1980 and 2018, yet twins remain uncommon. On average, roughly 33 out of every 1,000 births result in twins. Identical twins are even rarer, occurring in only about 3 to 4 out of every 1,000 births.
For 23-year-old Savannah Combs of Middleburg, Florida, learning she was expecting twins brought overwhelming joy — and then a remarkable twist: both babies were diagnosed with Down syndrome. The news was deeply emotional, and Savannah, along with her husband Justin Ackerman, anticipated that some might judge them because of their daughters’ condition.
“To me, that made my daughters even more precious,” Savannah told News4JAX. “It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems.”
Savannah shares her family’s journey on TikTok, where her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, quickly gained a large following. In one video, she revealed that doctors had advised her to consider terminating the pregnancy due to concerns about the babies’ survival. She chose instead to give them a chance. “Every prenatal appointment where they were alive was a blessing to me,” she said.
At 29 weeks, Savannah was admitted to the hospital to give birth while her husband was away at boot camp. The twins, born two months early on May 12, 2021, spent several weeks in the NICU before finally coming home.
Kennadi Rue and Mckenli are mono-di twins — meaning they each had their own amniotic sac but shared a single placenta. “Mono-di twins alone are very rare. Add Down syndrome on top of that, and it’s like one in two million,” Savannah explained.
Despite their extraordinary rarity, Savannah insists her daughters are just like any other children. “They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to communicate and do many things. They will get there,” she said. “It might take a little longer, but they will do it. I’ve learned these kids are strong-willed and happy.”
As the twins reach new milestones, Savannah continues to post heartwarming updates on TikTok. “I want them to know they’re just like everyone else and can achieve anything they set their minds to,” she said.
Savannah has also faced online criticism, with some commenters making hurtful remarks about her family. One person wrote, “I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine were born like that, I would put them up for adoption.” Savannah responded on Facebook with unwavering resolve: “Good thing they weren’t born to you and were born to me. God knew what He was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who love them no matter what.”
Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman are indeed extraordinary. Their story is a testament to love, resilience, and the joy of parenting children who are rare and remarkable in every way.
