David Freeman was born in Toronto, Ontario, on January 7, 1945. Freeman faced the challenges of cerebral palsy from a young age. He spent his early years at the Sunnyview School for the Handicapped, where he began writing short stories. At 17, his experiences working in a shelter inspired his first and most acclaimed play, “Creeps.”

He wrote freelance articles for Maclean’s and various Toronto newspapers. His piece “The World of Can’t,” highlighting the struggles faced by individuals with CP in society, was initially commissioned for television by CBC but was ultimately rejected for its unsettling content.

In 1966, he enrolled at McMaster University and earned a degree in political science in 1971. Following Bill Glassco’s advice, then at Toronto’s Factory Theatre Lab, he adapted “The World of Can’t” into the stage play “Creeps.” The play debuted at the Factory Theatre in 1971, later becoming the inaugural production at Tarragon Theatre, and has been staged widely in Canada and internationally. It was featured in “Modern Canadian Drama,” edited by Richard Plant in 1984.

David Freeman’s other notable works include “Battering Ram” (1972), a play about exploitation and dysfunctional relationships, “You’re Going to Be Alright, Jamie Boy” (1974), a story of a young man grappling with his dysfunctional family, and “Flytrap” (1976), exploring deviant relationships, reminiscent of Joe Orton’s work. He also wrote “Year of the Soul” for CBC radio in 1982.