I would never assume that people would give me anything just for the asking, without first placing myself in their shoes and understanding how they would view my request.
In that respect, the post was not well presented and poorly handled afterwards. This silly- if not suspicious- requirement of having to accrue MILES on such a trip did not help either.

Naxos, don't you think that people reacted so virulently because all those past times when they were asked for $20 in a parking lot so that someone could "take the bus to get back home", they never got to see or talk to the person again when they realized they were taken for a ride?
Here, they finally got to unload that frustrated anger.

My 2c worth ( and that's really all it's worth!) of psycho babble.

If I ever had to do this, this is what I would have posted:

I am really in a bind and I need some help. I am looking for 40,000 miles to visit my dying mother in Hawaii. I cannot afford to pay for the trip and I do not have the miles. I was wondering if a generous soul out there would help me. I understand that this request might look suspicious to you but if you would like to check the veracity of this story, I can give you the telephone number of her doctor who will confirm this to you.
I am sorry for posting this on the board, but you are my last resort to see my dying mother. Can you please help?
Please write at the email in the profile if you have questions or if you can help.