While the chances of giving birth to twins increased 72 percent between 1980 and 2018, it’s still pretty rare. About 33 out of every 1,000 births are twins.
And what are the chances of identical twins? Approximately every three or four births out of every 1,000 are identical twins. So again, relatively rare.
When 23-year-old Savannah Combs found out she was pregnant with twins, she was thrilled. And then she learned another rarity, they both had Down syndrome.
Of course, it was emotional news. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, knew that some people would judge her and her babies because of their condition.
But to Savannah, that’s what makes them incredibly precious.
“It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” she told News4JAX.
Savannah, who is from Middleburg, Florida, shared her post-pregnancy journey with her daughters Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok where they quickly gained a following.
In one of her videos, Savannah said she was told to abort her babies because they would not make it.
She decided to keep them and give them a fighting chance.
”Every [prenatal] appointment they were alive was a blessing to me,” Savannah explained.
When she learned they both had Down syndrome, her husband was away at boot camp.
Savannah was 29 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital, and delivered her daughters. The identical twin girls, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, were born on May 12, 2021.
The twins arrived two months before their due date, so they had to spend several weeks in the NICU before they came home.
They’re called mono di twins, meaning that they had their own sacs, but they shared the same placenta, meaning that they were going to be identical,” she said.
“Mo di twins as it is, it’s like very rare. And then you throw Down syndrome on top of it, it’s like one in 2 million.”
Despite their rare condition, Savannah said they are just like any other child.
“They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to talk. They know how to do things you do. They will get there,” she said.
“Like I said, it may be a step behind but they’re going to do it. I’ve learned these kids are feisty little things and happy little things.”
Bickering Neighbors Construct Wall Along Property Boundary, Awaken to Sounds of a Bulldozer One Morning
The Johnson family had just moved into a new neighborhood. After their neighbors, the Summers family, welcomed them with a party, a conflict arose over their shared lawn. However, outside threats eventually brought them together for a common cause.
As the Johnsons unpacked, the Summers family—John, Judy, and their son Tommy—watched from their porch. They were curious about the new neighbors and speculated about them. Judy liked the stylish bags the Johnsons carried, while John felt they were over the top. Tommy noticed a boy his age, Kevin, next door, and they exchanged friendly nods.
Meanwhile, Danny and Cindy Johnson were settling in. Danny was skeptical about their new neighbors, worried they might be intrusive, while Cindy encouraged him to embrace the community. Despite Danny’s reservations, they welcomed the Summers family when they showed up with gifts, including a casserole.
Later, John Summers invited the Johnsons to a barbecue to get to know each other better. Though Danny had his doubts about John, the barbecue went well, and Tommy and Kevin quickly became friends.
However, tensions flared when a dog belonging to the Summers family dug holes in the Johnsons’ yard, leading to a heated confrontation. Danny felt disrespected, and John, frustrated by Danny’s reaction, decided to build a wall to separate their properties. This only escalated the feud, forcing their children to hide their friendship.
One morning, John was shocked to find a bulldozer demolishing the wall. Danny arrived, and they learned that Mr. Cooper, a local businessman, intended to build a store on their land. Panic set in as they realized they could lose their homes.
United by this threat, Danny and John decided to rally their neighbors for support. They organized a protest, which stopped the bulldozer and led to the police arresting Mr. Cooper for fraud.
After this victory, Danny suggested they work together to resolve their property dispute. John considered this but instead surprised Danny by building a playground on his side of the lawn, prompting a truce. The two families began to share the space and even built a gazebo together for community gatherings.
This story teaches us the importance of getting along with neighbors. By setting aside their differences, John and Danny learned to prioritize their families and forged a lasting friendship, proving that unity can overcome conflict.
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