PEGASUS GAMING: Graham and Michelle Cooper with Jack Fruscalzo who is playing a game of Magic The Gathering. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail

PEGASUS GAMING: Graham and Michelle Cooper with Jack Fruscalzo who is playing a game of Magic The Gathering. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail Mike Knott

IMAGINE being in a room full of people yet feeling utterly alone.

That's what Graham Cooper felt for most of his childhood as he battled, what he would realise much later in life, was Asperger's syndrome.

Asperger's syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication.

The now 43-year-old Bundaberg primary school teacher recently fulfilled a childhood dream by opening a small gaming store on Bourbong St called Pegasus Gaming.

The store specialises in board and card games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering as well as miniature and collectable figurines.

Mr Cooper said he had a clear motivation for opening the store.

"We work in conjunction with some of the high schools and Epic Employment and have kids do work experience with us," he said.

"Some of the kids who come in have social skill issues and for the time they are here with us they realise that they belong.

"Suddenly they realise they are surrounded by people with similar interests."

Mr Cooper said he knew from firsthand experience what it was like to be isolated as a child, so empathised with his customers.

"As I got older I had to learn coping mechanisms," he said. "So we promote this as a family friendly place where the kids are looked after and get to play some great games."

And every Friday evening, children and young adults bunker down for Friday Night Magic - a Magic the Gathering tournament played by millions around the world.

"What draws people to these games can vary form person to person," he said.

"We are a focal point for the gaming community and that is fantastic to see."

To learn more, visit Pegasus Gaming's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PegasusGaming