Pathways to the Bench: U.S. District Court Judge Myron H. Thompson

U.S. District Court Judge Myron H. Thompson, of Montgomery, Ala., pushed past the paralysis of childhood polio to live an active life, excel in academics and become -- at age 33 -- one of the youngest people appointed to the federal bench. He says he has learned, "Probably, one of the true lessons of life is, 'Always be prepared for the unexpected, because you'll never know when it will hit you.'"