Savannah Combs, a first-time mother, gave birth to exceedingly rare identical twin girls, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on May 12, 2021. During her pregnancy, there was an indication that at least one of the twins might be born with Down syndrome. However, Combs declined invasive diagnostic tests as they could have posed a risk of miscarriage. Her focus was on the well-being of her unborn children, as she expressed that each prenatal appointment where they were alive was a blessing.

The twins were born two months premature at the Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. They were categorized as Mono/Di twins, meaning they had separate amniotic sacs but shared the same placenta. Further, they were diagnosed with Mosaic Down syndrome, an extremely rare condition with an occurrence rate of one percent in two million births.

Mosaic Down Syndrome is a condition wherein an individual has a mix of cells, some with the usual number of chromosomes and others with an extra chromosome 21, characteristic of Down syndrome. The twins’ early birth meant they had to spend nearly two months in the hospital.

Combs shared that her husband, Justin Ackerman, initially had an emotional reaction to the twins’ diagnosis. However, for Combs, her daughters were precious regardless. She highlighted that her twin girls were like any other children – they laughed, cried, had distinct personalities, and experienced mood swings. Kennadi was described as a “ray of sunshine,” while Mckenli was considered a “total diva.”

In an interview with News4Jax, Combs expressed, “They have feelings, they have beating hearts, they know how to talk, they know how to do things you do, and they will get there. Like I say, it may be a step behind, but they’re going to do it.”

Determined to embrace her children’s journey and raise awareness about Down syndrome, Combs started documenting her twins’ lives on her TikTok account. This move was made despite knowing that they could face negative remarks from the public. The twins became a viral sensation, with many of their videos accumulating millions of views on TikTok.

Combs’s story is an inspiring example of embracing motherhood with love, kindness, and acceptance, even in the face of potential criticism and challenges. She is devoted to not only loving her children unconditionally but also to educating others about Down syndrome and advocating for treating everyone with respect and dignity.

A Canadian father who faced similar challenges and defended his son with Down syndrome from hurtful comments. He wanted the world to know that having a child with Down syndrome was the best thing that ever happened to him. This highlights a broader message of love, acceptance, and the importance of understanding and kindness in a world where people are often judged for their differences.