Even though the chance of having twins has grown by 72% between 1980 and 2018, it is still very uncommon. In the United States, about 33 out of every 1,000 births are twins.
And how often are sets of identical twins to be born? In every 1,000 births, there are around three or four sets of identical twins. Thus, again, an exception rather than the rule.
Savannah Combs, age 23, was overjoyed to learn that she was expecting twins. The fact that they both had Down syndrome added to their already unique status.
It was inevitable that the news would be devastating. Savannah and her husband Justin Ackerman expected some people to look down on them and their children because of their situation.
However, this is precisely what makes them so priceless in Savannah’s eyes. According to an interview she gave, “it’s really rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems.”
Savannah, who is originally from Middleburg, Florida, and her daughters Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, shared their experience on TikTok after Savannah gave birth. As a result, they immediately gained a following.
Savannah has said in one of her videos that she was advised to terminate her pregnancy because the babies would not survive. She made the decision to keep them and give them a chance to fight for themselves. Savannah said, “Every prenatal checkup that they were alive was a joy to me.
When she found out that both of them had Down syndrome, her husband was away at military training.
When Savannah was finally brought to the hospital to give birth to her babies, she was 29 weeks along in her pregnancy. Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, identical twin daughters, were born on May 12, 2021.
Because the twins were born two months before their due date, they were required to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for many weeks before they could go home.
Savannah said that they are the same as any other baby despite having an extremely unusual condition.
“They are complex human beings with feelings as everyone. They have a heartbeat. They are capable of speaking. They are able to accomplish the things that you do. As I’ve said before, it could be a step behind, but they’re going to accomplish it. I’ve learned that these children are both joyful and fierce regardless their little size.
Savannah updates her TikTok with cute videos and photos of her children as they continue to achieve their individual developmental milestones. “I’m going to let them know that they’re just like us, and as long as they set their minds to it, they’re going to get there”.
Watch their video below, and please SHARE this positivity into the lives of your Facebook friends.