In the case of some Mesoamerica peoples such as the Maya physical deformity was seen as a sign of favor from the gods. A good example of this can be found in the ancient city of Dziblichaltun (in the Yucatan) where excavations in a ceremonial temple uncovered ceramic figurines exhibiting a range of physical congenital disorders. The discovery of the figurines beneath the exact center of the ceremonial structure suggest veneration. The actual figurines are on display at the museum near the entrance to the archaeological site. Both are well worth a visit! Furthermore Mayan myth has several examples of "deformed" persons rising to power or founding cities/dynasties. The founding myth of Uxmal (the most important regional capital in the Puuc valley) has a deformed dwarf building an enormous temple over night and as a result being proclaimed ruler of the new settlement. I am currently on mobile but if anyone is interested we could delve a little more in to this in a bit :)

The ceramic dolls: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/1f/6e/8d/seven-dolls.jpg Dziblichaltun (House of 7 dolls and altar) http://imgur.com/rRUEsdn Legend of the Dwarf Magician of Uxmal: http://maya.nmai.si.edu/sites/default/files/resources/The%20Legend%20of%20the%20Dwarf%20and%20the%20Governor%20of%20Uxmal.pdf