Although the chances of giving birth to twins increased by 72% between 1980 and 2018, it’s still quite a rare phenomenon. About 33 out of every 1,000 births are twins.

And what’s the chance of having monozygotic (identical) twins? About three or four in every 1,000 births — still relatively uncommon.

When Savannah Combs, 23, found out she was expecting twins, she was overjoyed. Then she received another rare piece of news: both babies had Down syndrome.

It was, of course, an emotional revelation. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, knew that some people would judge them and their children because of the diagnosis.

But to Savannah, that’s exactly what made them incredibly special.

“It’s a very rare phenomenon, but they’re my little treasures,” she told News4JAX.

Hailing from Middleburg, Florida, Savannah shared her pregnancy journey with her daughters, Kenadie Rue and McKinlee Ackerman, on TikTok, where they quickly gained popularity.

In one of her videos, Savannah revealed she was advised to have an abortion because the babies likely wouldn’t survive.

She chose to keep them and give them a chance at life. “Every prenatal visit where they were still alive was a blessing,” Savannah said.

When the diagnosis came, her husband was away at military camp. At 29 weeks pregnant, she was hospitalized and gave birth to her girls. Identical twins Kenadie Rue and McKinlee Ackerman were born on May 12, 2021.

The girls were born two months early, so they spent several weeks in intensive care before going home.

“They were diagnosed as mono-di twins, meaning they had separate amniotic sacs but shared a placenta — so they were identical,” she explained.

“Mono-di twins are already very rare. But with Down syndrome, it’s about one in two million births.”

Despite their rare condition, Savannah insists they’re just like any other kids.

“They have feelings. Their hearts beat. They can talk. They can do what you do. They will succeed,” she said. “Like I said, they may take a little longer, but they will get there. I’ve learned these kids are joyful and full of life.”

As her daughters reach each new milestone, Savannah shares their progress on TikTok.

“I want them to know they are just like us, and if they work hard, they can accomplish anything.”

However, some people continue to criticize Savannah and her family. The young mom has had to respond to very insensitive comments on social media.

“I wouldn’t want kids like that; if mine were born that way, I’d give them up for adoption right away,” one person wrote.

But Savannah had the perfect response, which she posted on Facebook.

“I said: Thank God they weren’t born to you — they were born to me. God knew what He was doing when He entrusted these little ones to parents who would love them no matter what.”

Beautiful little girls. Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply cruel. These children are the most loving and precious beings in the world. Please share this moving story on Facebook.