When Savannah Combs discovered she was expecting twins, she felt a wave of joy and excitement. The arrival of one new baby is a blessing, but two at once felt like an extraordinary gift. The journey of pregnancy is always filled with surprises, but Savannah was about to experience a series of events that were statistically remarkable. She embraced the news with an open heart, ready for the unique path that lay ahead for her and her husband, Justin Ackerman.
The plot of their story took an unexpected turn when Savannah learned that both of her unborn daughters had Down syndrome. This news came with a flood of emotions, and she was acutely aware that some people might view her children through a lens of limitation. However, Savannah chose to see the situation differently. For her, this rare diagnosis didn’t define her daughters; it simply made them, in her own words, her “little gems,” even more unique and precious.
The pregnancy was not without its challenges. Savannah faced the painful experience of being advised to terminate the pregnancy based on her babies’ condition. She stood firm in her decision to continue, cherishing every prenatal appointment as a victory. When the identical twin girls, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, were born on May 12, 2021, they arrived two months early, requiring a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. They are mono di twins, a rare type where they shared one placenta but had separate sacs, making them identical.
Savannah has become a passionate advocate for her children, sharing their lives and milestones on social media platforms like TikTok. She emphasizes that while her daughters may reach their developmental goals on a different timeline, they are filled with the same spirit, feelings, and potential as any other child. They are feisty, happy, and determined to achieve everything they set their minds to, just one step at a time.
Of course, the online world can be harsh, and Savannah has encountered deeply insensitive comments, including one suggesting her children should have been put up for adoption. Her response was a powerful testament to her love. She stated that it was a good thing her girls were born to her, a mother who would love them unconditionally, and that God had given them to the right parents. Her story is a beautiful reminder that every child is a gift, deserving of celebration and a fierce, defending love.
